LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT STATEMENT
 
80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 2, 2007

TO:
Honorable Aaron Pena, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB872 by Otto (Relating to the prosecution of and punishment for the offense of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Penal Code by broadening tampering with or fabricating physical evidence to include altering, destroying, or concealing a human corpse.  Under the provisions of the bill altering, destroying, or concealing a human corpse would be punishable as a felony of the second degree.

A felony of the second degree 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.

Broadening the definition of the types of behavior punishable is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State due to an increase in offenses.  However, it is expected individuals who would be affected under the provisions of this bill are currently being sentenced for other, possibly lesser felony, offenses and the impact of the bill would not have a significant impact on correctional populations. 



Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, GG, LM