LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT STATEMENT
 
86TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 8, 2019

TO:
Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director     Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director
Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB98 by González, Mary (Relating to civil and criminal liability for the unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material.), As Engrossed

The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to the unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material.  Under the provisions of the bill, an individual who, knowing the character and content of certain visual material and with specific intent, promotes the material on an Internet website or other forum for publication that is owned or operated by the person would commit a state jail felony.

A state jail felony is punishable by confinement in a state jail for a term from 180 days to 2 years and, in addition to confinement, an optional fine not to exceed $10,000 or Class A Misdemeanor punishment.

In fiscal year 2018, fewer than ten people were arrested, placed on community supervision, or admitted into state correctional institutions for this offense under existing statute. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations or the demand for state correctional resources.





Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
WP, LM, SPa