Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1714 by Zedler (Relating to the offense of murder of a child.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code by creating the offense of murder of a child. The offense would be punishable as a felony of the first degree. The bill would also eliminate the possibility of jury recommended community supervision for persons convicted of the offense of murder of a child. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
The elimination of community supervision for offenders convicted of the offense of murder of a child is not anticipated to affect a significant number of offenders. Under current law and policy, and under the proposed bill, the average time served in prison by persons likely to be affected by the provisions of this bill is greater than five years, therefore no significant impacts on the demands of the adult corrections agencies are anticipated during the first five years following passage of this bill.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.