| TO: | Honorable Dennis Bonnen, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives |
| FROM: | John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1343 by Leach (Relating to persons who may be prosecuted for the criminal offense of improper contact with a victim.), As Passed 2nd House |
The bill would amend various codes as they relate to improper contact with a victim, sex offender registration, protective orders, and punishment for violation of protective orders. Under the provisions of the bill, for a confined individual to engage in conduct constituting contact with certain victims when the director of the facility has not received, from these victims, written and dated consent to the contact, would qualify as improper contact with a victim. Under existing statute, this offense is punishable as a class A misdemeanor or third degree felony depending on the specific circumstances of the offense. Additionally, under the bill's provisions, certain violations of protective orders would now be punishable as a state jail felony. Under existing statute, violations of certain court orders are punishable at the misdemeanor and felony level with the punishment based on the specific circumstances of the offense.
The Office of Court Administration and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice indicate the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions will not result in 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.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | WP, LBO, LM, DGi
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