BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1503

By: Frullo

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties express concerns over inconsistent reporting of information by local law enforcement agencies to the missing children and missing persons information clearinghouse regarding an attempted child abduction, and the parties contend that a more clearly defined reporting approach will improve analytical capabilities for investigating these events. H.B. 1503 seeks to improve public safety by clarifying the responsibilities of local law enforcement agencies in relation to reporting an attempted child abduction to the clearinghouse.

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

H.B. 1503 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to change the deadline by which a local law enforcement agency is required, on receiving a report of an attempted child abduction, to provide any relevant information regarding the attempted child abduction to the missing children and missing persons information clearinghouse from immediately but not later than eight hours after receiving the report to as soon as practicable but not later than eight hours after receiving the report. The bill requires information not immediately available to be obtained by the agency and entered into the clearinghouse as a supplement to the original entry as soon as possible.

H.B. 1503 repeals Article 63.009(a-3), Code of Criminal Procedure.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.