HBA-SEP, EDN C.S.H.B. 519 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 519
By: Gallego
Criminal Jurisprudence
3/11/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Victims of domestic violence are eligible to file a claim with the Texas
crime victims' compensation fund to seek compensation for certain costs
incurred, including relocation costs.  However, the term "domestic
violence" is not defined under current statutes and may exclude certain
individuals who could benefit from assistance with relocation costs.
C.S.H.B. 519 replaces the term "domestic violence" with "family violence"
and establishes a definition that enables victims of sexual assault to
qualify for compensation.     

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. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 519 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to replace the term
"domestic violence" with "family violence" and to establish a definition
that enables victims of sexual assault to receive a onetime-only assistance
payment as compensation for pecuniary loss for relocation and housing
rental expenses. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 519 modifies the original by altering the definition of "family
violence."