HBA-CMT S.B. 654 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 654
By: Staples
Public Safety
4/29/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no mechanism for professional licensing organizations
to be notified when a sex offender registers with local law enforcement.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) creates a form to be filled out by
sex offenders when the duty to register is imposed.  However, no language
is included in the form regarding the offender's professional licenses.
Senate Bill 654 adds an additional requirement that sex offenders disclose
which professional licenses they currently hold or intend to seek and
requires DPS to forward the information provided by the sex offender to the
appropriate licensing authority. 

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

Senate Bill 654 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require the
registration form for sex offenders that is given to the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice, the Texas Youth Commission, the Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission, and each local law enforcement authority, county
jail, and court to include an indication of each license that is held or
sought by the person registering as a sex offender.   

The bill requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to provide a
licensing authority with notice of any person required to register as a sex
offender who holds or seeks a license that is issued by the authority. DPS
is required to provide the notice as the applicable licensing information
becomes available through the person's registration or verification of
registration. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.