LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT STATEMENT
 
83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 22, 2013

TO:
Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1011 by King, Susan (Relating to the punishment for the offense of online solicitation of a minor.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Penal Code to enhance the punishment for online solicitation of a minor involving sexual conduct.  Under current law this offense is punishable as a second degree felony.  Under the provisions of the bill if, after soliciting the minor, the offender traveled or attempted to travel any distance with the intent to meet the minor, this offense would be punished as a second degree felony, but the minimum term of imprisonment would be increased from two to five years.

 

A second degree felony is punishable by confinement in prison for a term of two to twenty years and, in addition to confinement, an optional fine not to exceed $10,000. 

 

The bill's provisions increase the punishment for the offense of online solicitation of a minor involving sexual conduct.  This change is expected to increase demands on state correctional resources by increasing the length of stay for offenders eligible for confinement in state correctional facilities.  However, it is assumed that the number of offenders supervised or incarcerated under this statute would not significantly impact state correctional agency resources. In fiscal year 2012, there were 48 arrests, 28 community supervision placements, and 14 admissions to prison for the offense of online solicitation of a minor involving sexual conduct. 


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
UP, GG, JPo