| TO: | Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence |
| FROM: | Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB720 by Price (Relating to enhancing the penalty for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in certain circumstances.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to the penalty for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in certain circumstances. Under the provisions of the bill, the offense of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death or serious bodily injury is increased to the next higher offense penalty if the defendant did not stop, render aid, and remain on the scene until the first responders arrive. Under current law, this offense is either a third-degree or second-degree felony.
The bill increases the penalty for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in certain circumstances. Increasing the penalty for any criminal offense is expected to increase demands on state and/or county correctional agency resources due to longer terms of community supervision, county jail confinement, state correctional institution confinement, and/or parole. However, in the case of the bill, it is assumed that the number of offenders supervised or incarcerated under this statute would not significantly impact state correctional agencies' workload and programs.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | UP, ESi, GG, JGA
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