HBA-DMD H.B. 577 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 577
By: Giddings
Criminal Jurisprudence
3/8/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a family violence suspect can be detained by a
magistrate for 24 hours after a bond is posted to help ensure the victim's
safety.  H.B. 577 extends from 24 to 48 hours the time that a magistrate
may detain a family violence suspect after a bond is obtained, provided
that the magistrate asserts in writing that the suspect would continue the
violence if released. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Article 17.291(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, to
increase from 24 to 48 hours the time period that a magistrate may direct a
person to be detained after a bond has been posted, provided that the
magistrate directs in writing that the detained person will continue to
engage in family violence immediately after released. 

SECTION 2.Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.