BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2079

By: Coleman

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Crime Victims' Compensation Act provides compensation for relocation and housing rental expenses to victims of certain crimes committed at the victim's residence for purposes of ensuring the victim's safety and assisting the victim in recovering from that crime. It has been suggested that a child who is a victim of a murder attempt at the child's residence is especially vulnerable and should be eligible for compensation for those purposes. H.B. 2079 seeks to promote the safety and recovery of these child victims by providing for this compensation under the act.

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. 2079 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to include a child who is a victim of a murder attempt in the child's place of residence among the victims who may receive a onetime-only assistance payment capped at $2,000 to be used for relocation expenses and at $1,800 to be used for housing rental expenses under the Crime Victims' Compensation Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.