Honorable Nicole Collier, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1357 by Wu (Relating to the prosecution of and punishment for the criminal offense of failure to report certain sexual offenses committed against a child; increasing criminal penalties.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to the prosecution of and punishment for the criminal offense of failure to report certain sexual offenses committed against a child. Under the provisions of the bill, the list of behaviors for the prosecution of this offense would be expanded, and the punishment would be a state jail felony with the punishment level increasing in severity depending upon the circumstances of the offense. Under existing statute, failure to stop or report aggravated sexual assault of a child is punishable by a Class A misdemeanor.
The Office of Court Administration indicates the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions would not result in a significant fiscal impact. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions for criminal offenses would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations or the demand for state correctional resources.
Local Government Impact
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Lost revenue from reduced fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council