SB 1610
AN ACT relating to sexually violent predators, to the Texas Civil
Senate Bill • Perry | Flores
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to Senate committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
relating to sexually violent predators, to the Texas Civil
Subject Areas
Electronic Information Systems MAGISTRATES Alcoholism & Drug Abuse HARASSMENT SEXUAL ABUSE ATTORNEY'S FEES CIVIL COMMITMENT TEXAS CIVIL COMMITMENT OFFICE CONTRACTORS & SUBCONTRACTORS Criminal Procedure--Sentencing & Punishment CRIMINAL RECORDS ATTORNEY GENERAL VIDEOCONFERENCING PEACE OFFICERS Tobacco Products DEFERRED ADJUDICATION Crimes--Against Persons--Sexual Criminal Procedure--Bail & Pretrial Release Criminal Procedure--General MANDATORY & COMMUNITY SUPERVISION Courts--General SEXUAL HARASSMENT SEXUAL OFFENDERS HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION CRIMINAL JUSTICE, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
Bill Text
relating to sexually violent predators, to the Texas Civil Commitment Office, and to the prosecution of the offense of harassment by sexually violent predators and other persons confined in certain facilities; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; amending certain sex offender registration requirements; changing the eligibility for community supervision, parole, and mandatory supervision for sexually violent predators; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 3.03, Penal Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: (f) Notwithstanding any other law, if the accused is found guilty in a single criminal action of more than one offense arising from the same criminal episode or if a plea agreement is reached in a case in which the accused was charged with more than one offense arising out of the same criminal episode, the sentences shall run consecutively if the accused was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, at the time that any of the offenses were committed, regardless of whether the accused is convicted of or charged with violations of the same section more than once or is convicted of or charged with violations SECTION 2. Section 3.04, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: (b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), in [In] the event of severance under this section, the provisions of Section 3.03 do not apply, and the court in its discretion may order the sentences to run either concurrently or consecutively. (b-1) In the event of severance under this section, the provisions of Section 3.03(f) apply, and the court shall order the sentences to run consecutively as provided by that subsection. SECTION 3. Section 12.42, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read as (d) Except as provided by Subsection (c)(2), [or] (c)(4), or (e), if it is shown on the trial of a felony offense other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two felony offenses, and the second previous felony conviction is for an offense that occurred subsequent to the first previous conviction having become final, on conviction the defendant shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years. A previous conviction for a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) may not be used for enhancement purposes (e) Notwithstanding Subsection (c) or (d), if it is shown on the trial of a felony offense other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, at the time of the offense, on conviction the defendant shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department SECTION 4. Section 21.08(b), Penal Code, as amended by Chapters 351 (S.B. 1179) and 822 (H.B. 1730), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, is reenacted and amended to (b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, (1) a Class A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted one time of an offense under this section; [and] (2) a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted two or more times of an offense under this section; or (3) a felony of the third degree if the actor is civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, SECTION 5. Section 22.01, Penal Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows: (d-1) The actor is presumed to have known the person assaulted was a person described by Subsection (b-1)(2)(A) or (B), as applicable, if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's status as an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a contractor or employee of a contractor performing a service in a civil commitment facility. SECTION 6. Section 22.012(b), Penal Code, is amended to (b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, (1) a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial of (A) the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this section, other than an offense punishable (B) the defendant is a health care services provider or a mental health services provider and the act is: (i) committed during the course of providing a treatment or service to the victim; and (ii) beyond the scope of generally accepted practices for the treatment or service; [or] (2) a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this section that is punishable under (3) a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, at the time of the offense. SECTION 7. Section 22.02, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as (b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree, except that the offense is a felony of the first degree if: (1) the actor uses a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault and causes: (A) serious bodily injury to a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code; or (B) a traumatic brain or spine injury to another that results in a persistent vegetative state or irreversible (2) regardless of whether the offense is committed under Subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2), the offense is committed: (A) by a public servant acting under color of the servant's office or employment; (B) against a person the actor knows is a public servant while the public servant is lawfully discharging an official duty, or in retaliation or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty as a public (C) in retaliation against or on account of the service of another as a witness, prospective witness, informant, or person who has reported the occurrence of a crime; (D) against a person the actor knows is a process server while the person is performing a duty as a process server; (E) against a person the actor knows is a security officer while the officer is performing a duty as a (F) by an actor who is committed to a civil (i) a person the actor knows is an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office: (a) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty; or (b) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty (ii) a person the actor knows is contracting with the state to perform a service in a civil commitment facility or an employee of that person: (a) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract; or (b) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the (3) the actor is in a motor vehicle, as defined by Section 501.002, Transportation Code, and: (A) knowingly discharges a firearm at or in the direction of a habitation, building, or vehicle; (B) is reckless as to whether the habitation, building, or vehicle is occupied; and (C) in discharging the firearm, causes serious bodily injury to any person; or (4) the actor commits the assault as part of a mass (c-1) The actor is presumed to have known the person assaulted was a person described by Subsection (b)(2)(F)(i) or (ii), as applicable, if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's status as an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a contractor or employee of a contractor performing a service in a civil commitment SECTION 8. Section 22.07, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsections (c) and (c-1) and adding Subsection (f-1) to (c) An offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the offense is: (1) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense: (A) [(1)] is committed against a member of the person's family or household or otherwise constitutes family (B) [(2)] is committed against a public servant; (2) a felony of the third degree if the offense is (A) by an actor who is committed to a civil (i) a person the actor knows is an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office: (a) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty; or (b) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty (ii) a person the actor knows is contracting with the state to perform a service in a civil commitment facility or an employee of that person: (a) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract; or (b) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the (c-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(1)(B) [(c)(2)], an offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a state jail felony if the offense is committed against a person the actor knows is a peace (f-1) For purposes of Subsection (c)(2), the actor is presumed to have known the person threatened was a person described by Subsection (c)(2)(B)(i) or (ii), as applicable, if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's status as an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a contractor or employee of a contractor performing a service in a civil commitment facility. SECTION 9. Section 22.11, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read (a) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to assault, harass, annoy, [or] alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass (1) while imprisoned or confined in a correctional or (A)[,] causes another person to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of the actor, any other person, or an animal; or (B) disperses, sprays, spits, smears, or throws a substance described by Paragraph (A) in a correctional or detention facility in a manner that could cause: (i) another person to contact the (ii) an officer or employee of the correctional or detention facility to clean up the substance; (2) while committed to a civil commitment facility[, (A) causes an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of the actor, any other (i) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty at a civil commitment (ii) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty by the (B) disperses, sprays, spits, smears, or throws a substance described by Paragraph (A) in a civil commitment facility in a manner that could cause an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office to contact the substance or clean up the (i) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty at a civil commitment (ii) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty by the (C) causes a person who contracts with the state to perform a service in the facility or an employee of that person to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of the actor, any other person, or an animal: (i) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract, if the actor knows the person or employee is authorized by the state to (ii) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of (D) disperses, sprays, spits, smears, or throws a substance described by Paragraph (A) in a civil commitment facility in a manner that could cause a person who contracts with the state to perform a service in the facility or an employee of that person to contact the substance or clean up the substance: (i) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract, if the actor knows the person or employee is authorized by the state to (ii) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of (3) causes another person the actor knows to be a public servant to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of the actor, any other person, or an animal while the public servant is lawfully discharging an official duty or in retaliation or on account of an exercise of the public servant's official power or performance of an official duty. (f) For purposes of Subsection (a)(2), the actor is presumed to have known the person was an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a person who contracts with the state to perform a service in a civil commitment facility or an employee of that person, as applicable, if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's status as an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a contractor or employee of a contractor performing a service in a civil commitment (g) It is not a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the actor warned any person that the actor intended to recklessly violate Subsection (a). SECTION 10. Section 38.11, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (l) to read as (a) A person commits an offense if the person provides, or possesses with the intent to provide: (1) an alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, or dangerous drug to a person in the custody of a correctional facility or residing in a civil commitment facility, except on the prescription of a practitioner; (2) a deadly weapon to a person in the custody of a correctional facility or residing in a civil commitment facility; (3) a cellular telephone or other wireless communications device or a component of one of those devices to a person in the custody of a correctional facility; (4) money to a person confined in a correctional (5) a cigarette or tobacco product to a person confined in a correctional facility, except that if the facility is a local jail regulated by the Commission on Jail Standards, the person commits an offense only if providing the cigarette or tobacco product violates a rule or regulation adopted by the sheriff or jail administrator that: (A) prohibits the possession of a cigarette or tobacco product by a person confined in the jail; or (i) the possession of a cigarette or tobacco product by a person confined in the jail; or (ii) the manner in which a cigarette or tobacco product may be provided to a person confined in the jail; or (6) a cigarette, e-cigarette, nicotine product, or tobacco product to a person residing in a civil commitment (l) A person commits an offense if the person, while residing in a civil commitment facility: (1) possesses a cigarette, e-cigarette, nicotine product, or tobacco product; or (2) manufactures an alcoholic beverage. SECTION 11. Section 38.11(f), Penal Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (7) and (8) to read as follows: (7) "E-cigarette" has the meaning assigned by Section 161.081, Health and Safety Code. (8) "Nicotine product" means a product that contains nicotine from any source, regardless of whether the product is a SECTION 12. The heading to Section 38.115, Penal Code, is Sec. 38.115. OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OVER CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, [OR] DETENTION FACILITY, OR CIVIL SECTION 13. Section 38.115(a)(1), Penal Code, is amended to (1) "Contraband" means any item not provided by or authorized by the operator of a correctional facility, [or] detention facility, or civil commitment facility. SECTION 14. Sections 38.115(b), (c), and (d), Penal Code, are amended to read as follows: (b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally (1) operates an unmanned aircraft over a correctional facility, [or] detention facility, or civil commitment facility and the unmanned aircraft is not higher than 400 feet above ground (2) allows an unmanned aircraft to make contact with a correctional facility, [or] detention facility, or civil commitment facility, including any person or object on the premises (3) allows an unmanned aircraft to come within a distance of a correctional facility, [or] detention facility, or civil commitment facility that is close enough to interfere with the operations of or cause a disturbance to the facility. (c) This section does not apply to conduct described by Subsection (b) that is committed by: (1) the federal government, this state, or a (2) a person under contract with or otherwise acting under the direction or on behalf of the federal government, this state, or a governmental entity; (3) a person who has the prior written consent of the owner or operator of the correctional facility, [or] detention facility, or civil commitment facility; (4) a law enforcement agency; or (5) a person under contract with or otherwise acting under the direction or on behalf of a law enforcement agency. (d) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, (1) a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously been convicted under this section; or (2) a state jail felony if, during the commission of the offense, the actor used the unmanned aircraft to: (A) provide contraband to a person in the custody of the correctional facility, [or] detention facility, or civil (B) otherwise introduce contraband into the correctional facility, [or] detention facility, or civil SECTION 15. Article 12.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended by Chapters 93 (S.B. 1527), 118 (H.B. 467), 127 (H.B. 1207), 422 (H.B. 1769), 520 (H.B. 3025), 689 (H.B. 1506), 704 (H.B. 2019), 709 (H.B. 2190), 768 (H.B. 4595), 830 (H.B. 2187), 885 (H.B. 4635), and 1041 (S.B. 129), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, is reenacted and amended to read as follows: Art. 12.01. FELONIES. Except as provided in Articles 12.015 and 12.03, felony indictments may be presented within these (B) sexual assault under Section 22.011(a)(2), Penal Code, or aggravated sexual assault under Section (i) during the investigation of the offense biological matter is collected and the matter: (a) has not yet been subjected to (b) has been subjected to forensic DNA testing and the testing results show that the matter does not match the victim or any other person whose identity is readily (ii) probable cause exists to believe that the defendant has committed the same or a similar sex offense (D) continuous sexual abuse of young child or disabled individual under Section 21.02, Penal Code; (E) indecency with a child under Section 21.11, (F) an offense involving leaving the scene of a collision under Section 550.021, Transportation Code, if the collision resulted in the death of a person; (G) trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02(a)(7) or (8), Penal Code; (H) continuous trafficking of persons under (I) compelling prostitution under Section 43.05(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code; [or] (J) tampering with physical evidence under Section 37.09(a)(1) or (d)(1), Penal Code, if: (i) the evidence tampered with is a human corpse, as defined by that section; or (ii) the investigation of the offense shows that a reasonable person in the position of the defendant at the time of the commission of the offense would have cause to believe that the evidence tampered with is related to a criminal homicide (K) [(J)] interference with child custody under Section 25.03(a)(3), Penal Code; (L) [(J)] burglary under Section 30.02, Penal (i) the offense is punishable under Subsection (d) of that section because the defendant entered a habitation with the intent to commit an offense under Section 22.011 or 22.021, Penal Code; and (ii) during the investigation of the offense biological matter is collected and the matter: (a) has not yet been subjected to (b) has been subjected to forensic DNA testing and the testing results show that the matter does not match the victim or any other person whose identity is readily (M) any felony offense if, at the time the offense is committed, the person was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety (2) ten years from the date of the commission of the (A) theft of any estate, real, personal or mixed, by an executor, administrator, guardian or trustee, with intent to defraud any creditor, heir, legatee, ward, distributee, beneficiary or settlor of a trust interested in such estate; (B) theft by a public servant of government property over which the public servant exercises control in the public servant's official capacity; (C) forgery or the uttering, using, or passing of (D) injury to an elderly or disabled individual punishable as a felony of the first degree under Section 22.04, (E) sexual assault, except as provided by (G) trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02(a)(1), (2), (3), or (4), Penal Code; or (H) compelling prostitution under Section (3) seven years from the date of the commission of the (A) misapplication of fiduciary property or property of a financial institution; (B) fraudulent securing of document execution; (C) a felony violation under Chapter 162, Tax (D) false statement to obtain property or credit under Section 32.32, Penal Code; (F) credit card or debit card abuse under Section (G) fraudulent use or possession of identifying information under Section 32.51, Penal Code; (H) exploitation of a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual under Section 32.53, Penal Code; (I) health care fraud under Section 35A.02, Penal (J) bigamy under Section 25.01, Penal Code, except as provided by Subdivision (7); or (K) possession or promotion of child pornography under Section 43.26, Penal Code; (4) five years from the date of the commission of the (B) except as provided by Subdivision (5), (C) [(B-1)] except as provided by Subdivision (D) [(C)] injury to an elderly or disabled individual that is not punishable as a felony of the first degree under Section 22.04, Penal Code; (E) [(D)] abandoning or endangering an [a child,] elderly [individual,] or disabled individual; (G) [(F)] assault under Section 22.01, Penal Code, if the assault was committed against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code; (H) [(G)] continuous violence against the family under Section 25.11, Penal Code; or (I) [(H)] aggravated assault under Section (5) if the investigation of the offense shows that the victim is younger than 17 years of age at the time the offense is committed, 20 years from the 18th birthday of the victim of one of (A) kidnapping under Section 20.03, Penal Code, or aggravated kidnapping under Section 20.04, Penal Code; or (B) subject to Subdivision (1)(L) [(1)(J)], burglary under Section 30.02, Penal Code, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (d) of that section because the defendant entered a habitation with the intent to commit an offense described by Subdivision (1)(B) or (D) of this article or Paragraph (6) 20 years from the 18th birthday of the victim of (A) trafficking of a child [persons] under Section 20A.02(a)(5) or (6), Penal Code; or (B) sexual performance by a child under Section (7) ten years from the 18th birthday of the victim of (A) injury to a child under Section 22.04, Penal (B) bigamy under Section 25.01, Penal Code, if the investigation of the offense shows that the person, other than the legal spouse of the defendant, whom the defendant marries or purports to marry or with whom the defendant lives under the appearance of being married is younger than 18 years of age at the time the offense is committed; or (C) [(D)] abandoning or endangering a child; (8) [(7)] ten years from the date the offense was discovered: trafficking of a disabled individual under Section 20A.02(a)(5) or (6), Penal Code; (9) [(8)] two years from the date the offense was discovered: sexual assault punishable as a state jail felony under Section 22.011(f)(2), Penal Code; or (10) [(9)] three years from the date of the commission of the offense: all other felonies. SECTION 16. Article 13A.554, Code of Criminal Procedure, is Art. 13A.554. FELONY OFFENSE COMMITTED BY CIVILLY COMMITTED [FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH] SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR [CIVIL COMMITMENT REQUIREMENT]. A felony [An] offense committed by a person civilly committed under Chapter 841 [Section 841.085], Health and Safety Code, may be prosecuted in: (1) any county in which an element of the offense (2) the court that retains jurisdiction over the civil commitment proceeding under Section 841.082, Health and Safety SECTION 17. Article 14.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-1) to (a) Any peace officer may arrest, without warrant: (1) persons found in suspicious places and under circumstances which reasonably show that such persons have been guilty of some felony, violation of Title 9, Chapter 42, Penal Code, breach of the peace, or offense under Section 49.02, Penal Code, or threaten, or are about to commit some offense against the laws; (2) persons who the peace officer has probable cause to believe have committed an assault resulting in bodily injury to another person and the peace officer has probable cause to believe that there is danger of further bodily injury to that person; (3) persons who the peace officer has probable cause to believe have committed an offense defined by Section 25.07, Penal Code, if the offense is not committed in the presence of the (4) persons who the peace officer has probable cause to believe have committed an offense involving family violence; (5) persons who the peace officer has probable cause to believe have prevented or interfered with an individual's ability to place a telephone call in an emergency, as defined by Section 42.062(d), Penal Code, if the offense is not committed in the presence of the peace officer; [or] (6) a person who makes a statement to the peace officer that would be admissible against the person under Article 38.21 and establishes probable cause to believe that the person has committed (7) a person who the peace officer has probable cause to believe has committed a felony offense while civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety (b-1) A peace officer shall arrest, without a warrant, a person the peace officer has probable cause to believe has (1) the person is civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code; and (2) the offense is committed in the presence of the peace officer or captured on a visual recording device. SECTION 18. Article 14.06(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, (a) Except as otherwise provided by this article, in each case enumerated in this Code, the person making the arrest or the person having custody of the person arrested shall take the person arrested or have him taken without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested, before the magistrate who may have ordered the arrest, before some magistrate of the county where the arrest was made without an order, or, to provide more expeditiously to the person arrested the warnings described by Article 15.17 [of this Code], before a magistrate in any other county of this state. The magistrate shall immediately perform the duties described in Article 15.17 in any manner permitted by that SECTION 19. Articles 15.17(a) and (b), Code of Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows: (a) In each case enumerated in this Code, the person making the arrest or the person having custody of the person arrested shall without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested, take the person arrested or have him taken before some magistrate of the county where the accused was arrested or, to provide more expeditiously to the person arrested the warnings described by this article, before a magistrate in any other county of this state. The arrested person may be taken before the magistrate in person or the image of the arrested person may be presented to the magistrate by means of a videoconference. If the arrested person is civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, and residing at a civil commitment facility as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, the magistrate may also choose to perform the duties of this article at the civil commitment facility. The magistrate shall inform in clear language the person arrested, either in person or through a videoconference, of the accusation against him and of any affidavit filed therewith, of his right to retain counsel, of his right to remain silent, of his right to have an attorney present during any interview with peace officers or attorneys representing the state, of his right to terminate the interview at any time, and of his right to have an examining trial. The magistrate shall also inform the person arrested of the person's right to request the appointment of counsel if the person cannot afford counsel. The magistrate shall inform the person arrested of the procedures for requesting appointment of counsel. If applicable, the magistrate shall inform the person that the person may file the affidavit described by Article 17.028(f). If the person does not speak and understand the English language or is deaf, the magistrate shall inform the person in a manner consistent with Articles 38.30 and 38.31, as appropriate. The magistrate shall ensure that reasonable assistance in completing the necessary forms for requesting appointment of counsel is provided to the person at the same time. If the person arrested is indigent and requests appointment of counsel and if the magistrate is authorized under Article 26.04 to appoint counsel for indigent defendants in the county, the magistrate shall appoint counsel in accordance with Article 1.051. If the magistrate is not authorized to appoint counsel, the magistrate shall without unnecessary delay, but not later than 24 hours after the person arrested requests appointment of counsel, transmit, or cause to be transmitted to the court or to the courts' designee authorized under Article 26.04 to appoint counsel in the county, the forms requesting the appointment of counsel. The magistrate shall also inform the person arrested that he is not required to make a statement and that any statement made by him may be used against him. The magistrate shall allow the person arrested reasonable time and opportunity to consult counsel and shall, after determining whether the person is currently on bail for a separate criminal offense and whether the bail decision is subject to Article 17.027, admit the person arrested to bail if allowed by law. A record of the communication between the arrested person and the magistrate shall be made. The record shall be preserved until the earlier of the following dates: (1) the date on which the pretrial hearing ends; or (2) the 91st day after the date on which the record is made if the person is charged with a misdemeanor or the 120th day after the date on which the record is made if the person is charged with a felony. For purposes of this subsection, "videoconference" means a two-way electronic communication of image and sound between the arrested person and the magistrate and includes secure Internet (b) After an accused charged with a misdemeanor punishable by fine only is taken before a magistrate under Subsection (a) and the magistrate has identified the accused with certainty, the magistrate may release the accused without bond and order the accused to appear at a later date for arraignment in the applicable justice court or municipal court. The order must state in writing the time, date, and place of the arraignment, and the magistrate must sign the order. The accused shall receive a copy of the order on release. If an accused fails to appear as required by the order, the judge of the court in which the accused is required to appear shall issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused. If the accused is arrested and brought before the judge, the judge may admit the accused to bail, and in admitting the accused to bail, the judge should set as the amount of bail an amount double that generally set for the offense for which the accused was arrested. This subsection does not apply to an accused who: (1) has previously been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor other than a misdemeanor punishable by fine only; or (2) is civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, at the time of SECTION 20. Article 17.091, Code of Criminal Procedure, is Art. 17.091. NOTICE OF CERTAIN BAIL REDUCTIONS REQUIRED. Before a judge or magistrate reduces the amount of bail set for a defendant charged with an offense listed in Article 42A.054 or an offense described by Article 62.001(5), or any felony offense committed while the defendant is civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, the judge or magistrate shall provide: (1) to the attorney representing the state, reasonable notice of the proposed bail reduction; and (2) on request of the attorney representing the state or the defendant or the defendant's counsel, an opportunity for a hearing concerning the proposed bail reduction. SECTION 21. Section 2, Article 17.151, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 2. The provisions of this article do not apply to a (1) serving a sentence of imprisonment for another offense while the defendant is serving that sentence; (2) being detained pending trial of another accusation against the defendant as to which the applicable period has not yet (3) incompetent to stand trial, during the period of the defendant's incompetence; [or] (4) being detained for a violation of the conditions of a previous release related to the safety of a victim of the alleged offense or to the safety of the community under this (5) civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 22. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 17.411 to read as follows: Art. 17.411. CONDITIONS FOR CIVILLY COMMITTED SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS. (a) In this article, "civil commitment facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 1.07, Penal Code. (b) This article applies only to a defendant who was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, at the time of the alleged offense. (c) A magistrate may impose any reasonable condition of bond related to the safety of a victim of the alleged offense, to the safety of the community, or to the safety of staff, contractors, or volunteers at a civil commitment facility. (d) A magistrate shall impose as a condition of bond that (1) not commit a new offense while released on bond; (2) comply with the defendant's civil commitment order for purposes of ensuring a safe environment at the civil commitment (e) At a hearing limited to determining whether the defendant violated a condition of bond imposed under this article, the magistrate may revoke the defendant's bond only if the magistrate finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation occurred. If the magistrate finds that the violation occurred, the magistrate shall revoke the defendant's bond and order that the defendant be immediately returned to custody. Once the defendant is placed in custody, the revocation of the defendant's bond discharges the sureties on the bond, if any, from any future liability on the bond. A discharge under this subsection from any future liability on the bond does not discharge any surety from liability for previous forfeitures on the bond. SECTION 23. Article 42.08, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to (a) When the same defendant has been convicted in two or more cases, judgment and sentence shall be pronounced in each case in the same manner as if there had been but one conviction. Except as provided by Subsections (b), [and] (c), and (d), in the discretion of the court, the judgment in the second and subsequent convictions may either be that the sentence imposed or suspended shall begin when the judgment and the sentence imposed or suspended in the preceding conviction has ceased to operate, or that the sentence imposed or suspended shall run concurrently with the other case or cases, and sentence and execution shall be accordingly; provided, however, that the cumulative total of suspended sentences in felony cases shall not exceed 10 years, and the cumulative total of suspended sentences in misdemeanor cases shall not exceed the maximum period of confinement in jail applicable to the misdemeanor offenses, though in no event more than three years, including extensions of periods of community supervision under Article 42A.752(a)(2), if none of the offenses are offenses under Chapter 49, Penal Code, or four years, including extensions, if any of the offenses are offenses under Chapter 49, Penal Code. (d) If a defendant has been convicted in two or more cases and was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, at the time that any of the offenses were committed, the court shall order the sentences for those offenses to run consecutively. SECTION 24. Subchapter B, Chapter 42A, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 42A.060 to read as follows: Art. 42A.060. PLACEMENT ON COMMUNITY SUPERVISION PROHIBITED FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES INVOLVING SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a defendant is not eligible for community supervision, including deferred adjudication community supervision, under this chapter if the defendant is charged with or convicted of a felony offense and at the time of the offense was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 25. Article 62.001(5), Code of Criminal Procedure, (5) "Reportable conviction or adjudication" means a conviction or adjudication, including an adjudication of delinquent conduct or a deferred adjudication, that, regardless of the pendency of an appeal, is a conviction for or an adjudication (A) a violation of Section 21.02 (Continuous sexual abuse of young child or disabled individual), 21.09 (Bestiality), 21.11 (Indecency with a child), 22.011 (Sexual assault), 22.021 (Aggravated sexual assault), or 25.02 (Prohibited (B) a violation of Section 43.04 (Aggravated promotion of prostitution), 43.05 (Compelling prostitution), 43.25 (Sexual performance by a child), or 43.26 (Possession or promotion of child pornography), Penal Code; (B-1) a violation of Section 43.021 (Solicitation of Prostitution), Penal Code, if the offense is punishable as a felony of the second degree; (C) a violation of Section 20.04(a)(4) (Aggravated kidnapping), Penal Code, if the actor committed the offense or engaged in the conduct with intent to violate or abuse (D) a violation of Section 30.02 (Burglary), Penal Code, if the offense or conduct is punishable under Subsection (d) of that section and the actor committed the offense or engaged in the conduct with intent to commit a felony listed in (E) a violation of Section 20.02 (Unlawful restraint), 20.03 (Kidnapping), or 20.04 (Aggravated kidnapping), (i) the judgment in the case contains an affirmative finding under Article 42.015; or (ii) the order in the hearing or the papers in the case contain an affirmative finding that the victim or intended victim was younger than 17 years of age; (F) the second violation of Section 21.08 (Indecent exposure), Penal Code, but not if the second violation results in a deferred adjudication; (G) an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation, as defined by Chapter 15, Penal Code, to commit an offense or engage in conduct listed in Paragraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (K), or (L); (H) a violation of the laws of another state, federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice for or based on the violation of an offense containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed under Paragraph (A), (B), (B-1), (C), (D), (E), (G), (J), (K), or (L), but not if the violation results in a (I) the second violation of the laws of another state, federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice for or based on the violation of an offense containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements of the offense of indecent exposure, but not if the second violation results in a deferred adjudication; (J) a violation of Section 33.021 (Online solicitation of a minor), Penal Code; (K) a violation of Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) (Trafficking of persons), Penal Code; [or] (L) a violation of Section 20A.03 (Continuous trafficking of persons), Penal Code, if the offense is based partly or wholly on conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) of that code; or (M) a violation of any law of this state for which the person has been civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 26. Article 62.008, Code of Criminal Procedure, is Art. 62.008. GENERAL IMMUNITY. The following persons are immune from liability for good faith conduct under this chapter: (1) an employee or officer of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, the Department of Public Safety, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Texas Civil Commitment Office, or a local law enforcement (2) an employee or officer of a community supervision and corrections department or a juvenile probation department; (3) a member of the judiciary; and (4) a member of the risk assessment review committee established under Article 62.007. SECTION 27. Article 62.058, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to (a) This subsection applies to a [A] person subject to registration under this chapter who has for a sexually violent offense been convicted two or more times, received an order of deferred adjudication two or more times, or been convicted and received an order of deferred adjudication and to a person who has been civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, and is not required to reside in a civil commitment center. A person to whom this subsection applies shall report to the local law enforcement authority designated as the person's primary registration authority by the department not less than once in each 90-day period following the date the person first registered under this chapter to verify the information in the registration form maintained by the authority for that person. [A person subject to registration under this chapter who is not subject to the 90-day reporting requirement described by this subsection shall report to the local law enforcement authority designated as the person's primary registration authority by the department once each year not earlier than the 30th day before and not later than the 30th day after the anniversary of the person's date of birth to verify the information in the registration form maintained by the authority for that person.] For purposes of this subsection, a person complies with a requirement that the person register within a 90-day period following a date if the person registers at any time on or after the 83rd day following that date but before the 98th day after that date. (a-1) A person subject to registration under this chapter who is not subject to the 90-day reporting requirement described by this article shall report to the local law enforcement authority designated as the person's primary registration authority by the department once each year not earlier than the 30th day before and not later than the 30th day after the anniversary of the person's date of birth to verify the information in the registration form maintained by the authority for that person. SECTION 28. Article 62.063(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subdivision (3) to read as follows: (3) "Child" means a person younger than 18 years of SECTION 29. Article 62.063(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, (b) A person subject to registration under this chapter because of a reportable conviction or adjudication for which an affirmative finding is entered under Article 42.015(b) or 42A.105(a), as appropriate, or a person civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, may not, for compensation: (1) operate or offer to operate a bus; (2) provide or offer to provide a passenger taxicab or limousine transportation service; (3) provide or offer to provide any type of service in the residence of another person unless the provision of service (4) operate or offer to operate any amusement ride; (5) provide or offer to provide a service at a SAFE-ready facility, as defined by Section 323.001, Health and Safety Code, or another facility that provides forensic medical examinations to sexual assault survivors in accordance with Chapter (6) provide or offer to provide a service at a sexual assault program, as defined by Section 420.003, Government Code; (7) provide or offer to provide a service at a family violence center, as defined by Section 51.002, Human Resources (8) provide or offer to provide a service at any public or private primary or secondary school; or (9) provide or offer to provide any coaching, tutoring, or mentoring service to a child. SECTION 30. Subchapter B, Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 62.066 to read as follows: Art. 62.066. REQUIRED SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT FOR CERTAIN PERSONS. A person subject to registration under this chapter and civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, who is required to participate in sex offender treatment shall attend and participate in the treatment. SECTION 31. Articles 62.101(a) and (b), Code of Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows: (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) and Subchapter I, the duty to register for a person ends when the person dies if the person has a reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for: (1) a sexually violent offense; (2) an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8), 25.02, 43.05(a)(2) or (3), or 43.26, Penal Code; (3) an offense under Section 20A.03, Penal Code, if based partly or wholly on conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) of that code; (4) an offense under Section 21.11(a)(2), Penal Code, if before or after the person is convicted or adjudicated for the offense under Section 21.11(a)(2), Penal Code, the person receives or has received another reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for an offense or conduct that requires registration under this chapter; (5) an offense under Section 20.02, 20.03, or 20.04, (A) the judgment in the case contains an affirmative finding under Article 42.015 or, for a deferred adjudication, the papers in the case contain an affirmative finding that the victim or intended victim was younger than 17 years of age; (B) before or after the person is convicted or adjudicated for the offense under Section 20.02, 20.03, or 20.04, Penal Code, the person receives or has received another reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for an offense or conduct that requires registration under this chapter; [or] (6) an offense under Section 43.23, Penal Code, that is punishable under Subsection (h) of that section; or (7) an offense for which the person has been civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health (b) Except as provided by Subchapter I, the duty to register for a person otherwise subject to Subsection (a) ends on the 10th anniversary of the date on which the person is released from civil commitment as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, the date on which the person is released from a penal institution or discharges community supervision, or the date on which the court dismisses the criminal proceedings against the person and discharges the person, whichever date is later, if the person's duty to register is based on a conviction or an order of deferred adjudication in a cause that was transferred to a district court or criminal district court under Section 54.02, Family Code. SECTION 32. Article 66.102, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: (j) In addition to the information described by this article, information in the computerized criminal history system must include any civil commitment order issued under Chapter 841, SECTION 33. Section 14A.056, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 14A.056. CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS [HEARING]. (a) In this section, "remote proceeding" means a proceeding in which one or mo
Bill History
filed
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to sexually violent predators, to the Texas Civil
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