Texas House Bill HB842

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to a central database containing information about offenders who have committed certain violent offenses against children or offenses involving family or dating violence.

Impact

The implementation of this bill will result in significant changes to how information about convicted violent offenders is managed within the state. The new law will require offenders who have committed specific violent offenses three or more times to be listed in the database, ensuring that such records become accessible to the public, albeit with certain personal identifiers restricted. This public access is expected to aid law enforcement and community members in monitoring potentially dangerous individuals, which aligns with broader public safety initiatives.

Summary

House Bill 842 seeks to establish a centralized database containing information about individuals convicted of certain violent offenses, particularly against children and those related to family or dating violence. This bill amends existing laws within the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code to ensure the creation and maintenance of this database by the relevant state department. The primary goal is to enhance public safety by making information about repeat offenders accessible while also streamlining the process of tracking offenders who pose a threat to vulnerable populations.

Contention

While the objectives of HB 842 revolve around improving community safety and protecting children and victims of family violence, criticism of the bill highlights concerns about privacy rights and the potential for stigmatization of offenders. The bill allows for those included in the database to petition for their removal, contingent upon certain conditions such as expunction of prior offenses or lack of further convictions over a specified period. Advocacy groups express apprehensions about the balance between community safety and individual privacy and the societal implications of having a public registry of offenders, particularly regarding rehabilitation opportunities for those who have served their time.