BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 979

By: Hernandez

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the requirement for certain sex offenders and defendants convicted of certain felony offenses to provide a specimen for purposes of creating a DNA record in the DNA database system does not apply to those who commit certain related offenses. It has been suggested that the inclusion of a DNA record of these other offenders could provide critical data in linking crimes, preventing repeat offenses, and helping vindicate innocent suspects. H.B. 979 seeks to address this issue by including defendants who have been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor offense of assault, deadly conduct, or unlawful restraint among those required to provide a specimen for such purposes.

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. 979 amends the Government Code to require a defendant convicted of a Class A misdemeanor offense of unlawful restraint, assault, or deadly conduct to provide one or more specimens to a law enforcement agency after conviction for the purpose of creating a DNA record. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.