BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2306

By: Hefner

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current voyeurism laws are outdated and ill-equipped to combat wrongdoing enabled by modern technology. H.B. 2306 seeks to update current voyeurism laws to make it clear that observing through electronic means, such as with drones or hidden cameras, constitutes an offense.

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. 2306 amends the Penal Code to specify that, for purposes of the offense of voyeurism, the forms of observation of another person that constitute the offense include remote observation through the use of electronic means. The bill's provisions apply only to an offense committed on or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.