HBA-AMW H.B. 542 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 542
By: Junell
Criminal Jurisprudence
3/13/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Throughout the country there have been cases in which cameras have been
hidden to secretly tape individuals.  These tapes are sold to other
individuals for their gratification or broadcast on Internet websites.
Although current law protects against many types of invasion of privacy it
does not protect against recording individuals without their consent with
the intent to sexually arouse or gratify another. House Bill 542 prohibits
the visual recording of another without the other person's consent with the
intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.   

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

House Bill 542 amends the Penal Code to provide that a person commits a
state jail felony if the person photographs, videotapes, or by other
electronic means visually records another without the other person's
consent and with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any
person. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.