The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to include offenses committed against a homeless person to offenses punishable under the bias or prejudice enhancement.

Increasing the penalty for any criminal offense is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State due to longer terms of probation, or, longer terms of confinement in county jails or prison.  Texas Department of Public Safety data indicate there were 278 hate crime offenses in calendar year 2005.  Office of Court Administration data indicate fewer than ten reported cases in which a hate crime finding was requested, granted, and affirmed in fiscal year 2006.  Depending on the application of the provision of the bill it is possible the term of confinement will increase, resulting in possibly higher correctional populations.  However, the bill is not expected to result in a significant impact on criminal justice populations.