HBA-RBT S.B. 24 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 24 By: Nelson Criminal Jurisprudence 5/13/1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Tougher laws may help to break the cycle of domestic violence by deterring defendants from repeatedly assaulting family members. S.B. 24 increases the punishment for assaults committed against a family member for repeat offenders. 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 Section 22.01, Penal Code, by amending Subsections (b) and (e), and adding Subsection (f), to increase the punishment from a Class A misdemeanor to felony of the third degree if an assault is committed against a member of the defendant's family or household, if at trial it is shown that the defendant has been previously been convicted of a violation of this section against a member of the defendant's family or household. Redefines "family" and defines "household." Provides that for the purpose of this section, a conviction occurs when a defendant is adjudged guilty or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.