Honorable Joe Moody, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3301 by Gervin-Hawkins (relating to the imposition of consecutive sentences for more than one criminal offense of injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual arising out of the same criminal episode.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to the imposition of consecutive sentences for more than one criminal offense of injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual. Under the provisions of the bill, an accused individual found guilty of multiple offenses related to injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual arising out of the same criminal episode would be added to the list of offenses for which an individual can be sentenced to serve consecutive sentences under certain circumstances. Under existing statute only certain injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual offenses are eligible for the imposition of consecutive sentences. Injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual is punished at the felony level with the severity of the punishment based on the specific circumstances of the offense.
The Office of Court Administration and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice do not anticipate a significant fiscal impact. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on the demand for state correctional resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2017 and apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of the Act.
Local Government Impact
This analysis assumes there could be increased costs associated with confinement; however the fiscal impact cannot be determined at this time. Additionally, costs would vary statewide.
According to the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact on local courts is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 696 Department of Criminal Justice