LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 23, 2003

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB143 by Ellis, Rodney (Relating to the prosecution of the offense of failure to report child abuse.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would increase the punishment for the offense of failure to report child abuse from a Class B misdemeanor to a felony of the third degree.  The bill would also amend the limitation and venue provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow for felony indictments to be presented within ten years from the 18^th birthday of a child who has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect: failure to report abuse or neglect under the Family Code.  It is assumed that the bill would not have a significant fiscal impact on the State.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:	696 Department of Criminal Justice
LBB Staff:	JK, WK, VDS, AJ, GG