BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2656
80R14721 ACP-D By: Parker et al. (Hinojosa)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Over the years, Texas has witnessed a number of instances where a registered sex offender has been able to successfully conceal his or her background and obtain employment in areas that are inappropriate or prohibited given the individual's criminal background. In addition, several municipalities in Texas are enacting their own city ordinances governing where registered sex offenders can and cannot live or socialize.
H.B. 2656 requires that registered sex offenders, whose victims were younger than 14 years of age at the time of the offense, carry an identifying emblem on their personal identification issued by the Department of Public Safety. This bill will give employers, children volunteer groups, real estate agents, apartment managers, and law enforcement officials a tool for quickly identifying the status of certain registered sex offenders.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 521.103, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e), as follows:
(c) Provides that if the Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues or renews a personal identification certificate under this section (Expiration and Renewal Requirements for Certain Sex Offenders) to a person who is subject to Chapter 62 (Sex Offender Registration Program), Code of Criminal Procedure, as a result of a reportable conviction or adjudication that is based on an offense or conduct the victim of which was younger than 14 years of age at the time the offense was committee or the conduct was engaged in, DPS is required to print "RSO" in black on the face of each personal identification certificate issued to or renewed by the person before the 20th anniversary of the date that the person was first required to register under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(d) Authorizes DPS to collect an additional fee to implement the requirements of Subsection (c).
(e) Requires DPS to post certain information, providing an explanation for a situation in which "RSO" is printed on a person's personal identification certificate, on DPS's Internet website.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.272, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f), as follows:
(d) Provides that if DPS issues or renews a driver's license under this section (Renewal of License Issued to Certain Sex Offenders) to a person who is subject to Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, as a result of a reportable conviction or adjudication that is based on an offense or conduct the victim of which was younger than 14 years of age at the time the offense was committee or the conduct was engaged in, DPS is required to print "RSO" in black on the face of each driver's license issued to or renewed by the person before the 20th anniversary of the date that the person was first required to register under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(e) Authorizes DPS to collect an additional fee to implement the requirements of Subsection (d).
(f) Requires DPS to post certain information, providing an explanation for a situation in which "RSO" is printed on a person's driver's license, on DPS's Internet website.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 522.033, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e), as follows:
(c) Provides that if DPS issues or renews a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's learner's permit under this section (Commercial Drivers License Issued to Certain Sex Offenders) to a person who is subject to Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, as a result of a reportable conviction or adjudication that is based on an offense or conduct the victim of which was younger than 14 years of age at the time the offense was committee or the conduct was engaged in, DPS is required to print "RSO" in black on the face of commercial driver's license or commercial driver's learner's permit issued to or renewed by the person before the 20th anniversary of the date that the person was first required to register under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(d) Authorizes DPS to collect an additional fee to implement the requirements of Subsection (c).
(e) Requires DPS to post certain information, providing an explanation for a situation in which "RSO" is printed on a person's commercial driver's license or commercial driver's learner's permit, on DPS's Internet website.
SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2007.