BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1573

By: Raney

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that a person who murders a police officer or firefighter acting in the line of duty can be charged with capital murder but that a person who murders emergency medical services (EMS) personnel acting in their respective capacity may only be charged with murder, despite the fact that all three of these groups are first responders and have similar responsibilities when responding to a request for service. H.B. 1573 seeks to extend the same protections to EMS personnel as those provided to other first responders by revising the conduct that constitutes capital murder.

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. 1573 amends the Penal Code to expand the conduct that constitutes capital murder to include intentionally or knowingly murdering emergency medical services personnel who is acting in the lawful discharge of an official duty and who the actor knows is emergency medical services personnel.         

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.