Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Offenses
USTICE/Sex Offenders and
77 th Texas Legislature
Requires the sexual assault program providing the advocate to pay all costs associated with providing the
advocate. Exempts an individual or entity, including a health care facility, providing an advocate with
access to a person undergoing an examination from civil or criminal liability for providing that access.
Sexual Conduct with Persons in Custody - H.B. 2097
by Representative Morrison, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Staples
Current law provides that it is a state jail felony for an official or employee of a correctional facility or a
peace officer to engage in sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse with an
individual in custody.
Extends the prohibition against engaging in improper sexual activity with an individual in custody to a
person other than an employee who works for compensation at a correctional facility and to a volunteer at a
correctional facility.
Issuance and Renewal of Driver’s Licenses of Sex Offenders - H.B. 2663
by Representative Grusendorf
Senate Sponsor: Senator Armbrister
Currently, a person required to register as a sex offender (registrant) must renew a driver's license or
identification card in person. However, current law does not address the issuance of commercial licenses,
learning permits, hardship licenses, and provisional licenses to registered sex offenders.
Requires registrants to apply for or renew their commercial driver’s licenses or commercial driver learner’s
permits in person.
Authorizes the Department of Public Safety to issue a learner’s permit or hardship license to registrant, but
requires the permit and license to include a photograph of the person.
Prohibits a registrant from renewing any type of driver’s license by mail or electronic means.
Sets the fee for the issuance or renewal of any type of driver’s license for a registrant at $20. Provides that
registrants who are veterans are not exempt from the fee.
Barring Contact Between Sex Offenders and Their Victims - H.B. 2890
by Representative McClendon
Senate Sponsor: Senator Madla
Senate Research Center 69