BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1485

By: Garcia

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties are concerned that the number of deaths occurring along the Texas border has increased at an alarming rate and that such deaths are difficult to track. The parties report that several human rights organizations are working to monitor the deaths to address the problem and help identify the remains. The parties contend that, generally, a death record is not made public information until the 25th anniversary of the date of death, and the parties explain that this limitation hinders the ability to track the number and location of unidentified deaths. S.B. 1485 seeks to address this problem.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1485 amends the Government Code to establish that the death record of an unidentified decedent is public information and available to the public on and after the first anniversary of the date of death.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.