| TO: | Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2145 by Gattis (Relating to the punishment of the offense of criminal nonsupport of a child.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Penal Code by enhancing the punishment for the offense of criminal nonsupport of a child from a state jail felony to:
a) A felony of the third degree if the amount of unpaid support is at least $20,000 but less than $100,000;
b) A felony of the second degree if the amount of unpaid support is at least $100,000 but less than $200,000; and
c) A felony of the first degree if the amount of unpaid support is at least $200,000.
A state jail felony is punishable by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
A third degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
A second degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
A first degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for life or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years, or in addition to imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Increasing the penalty for any criminal offense is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of the State due to longer terms of probation, or, longer terms of confinement in prison. In the case of this bill, the increased workload and demand for resources would probably not be substantial.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | JK, GG
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