Honorable Nicole Collier, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4375 by Stephenson (Relating to authorizing the use of anti-theft electronic monitoring as a condition of community supervision or release on bond.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow a defendant to submit to anti-theft monitoring if charged with theft or organized retail theft as a condition of release on bond. The bill allows the cost of the device to be assessed as a court cost or be paid directly by the defendant.
The bill would also allow anti-theft monitoring to be included as a condition of community supervision if the defendant is convicted of theft or organized retail theft.
According to the Office of Court Administration and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished using existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, there could be a significant but indeterminate cost to counties for payment of the anti-theft devices if the device is required by the courts and an offender is determined to be indigent.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 696 Department of Criminal Justice