Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Offenses
USTICE/Sex Offenders and
77 th Texas Legislature
Makes it an offense punishable by a state jail felony if a person photographs, videotapes, or, by other
electronic means, visually records another without that person's consent and with the intent to arouse or
gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Registered Sex Offender Requirements - H.B. 121
by Representative West
Senate Sponsor: Senator Staples
A person subject to registration as a sex offender who is not supervised by a juvenile probation officer,
community supervision and corrections department officer, or parole officer (officer) is required to report to
the local law enforcement authority regarding any change in the person’s physical health or job status. A
person subject to registration as a sex offender who is being supervised by an officer is not required to
report to the local law enforcement authority. However, an officer supervising the person is required to
notify the local law enforcement authority if the officer receives such information.
Requires any person subject to registration as a sex offender to report any change in the person’s physical
health or job status not later than the seventh day after the date of the change.
“Contraband” Definition Expanded for Sexual Offenses Against Children - H.B. 510
by Representative Olivo, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator West
Many sexual offenses against children involve the use of computers and several of these offenses involve
the possession of child pornography or the enticement of children over the Internet. Under current Texas
law, property used to commit these offenses is not considered contraband and is not subject to forfeiture.
Expands the definition of "contraband" to include property used in the commission of a felony involving the
possession or promotion of child pornography, indecency with a child, sexual performance by a child, or
certain offenses involving the criminal solicitation of a minor.
Sexual Assault Offense Statute of Limitations - H.B. 656
by Representative Goolsby, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Wentworth
Only a small percentage of sexual assaults are reported each year, and in many cases, the statute of
limitations expires before a person reports the crime. Recent advances in DNA technology have made it
possible to solve older sexual offense cases in which DNA collected at a crime scene will either link a
suspect to a crime or eliminate the person as a suspect.
Extends the statute of limitations to bring a felony indictment for all sexual assaults from five to ten years.
Senate Research Center 66