Texas House Bill HB3068

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/14/09
• Voted on by House: 4/30/09

Caption

Relating to the manner in which certain state officials request and receive notice of the residence of certain sex offenders.

Impact

The bill will directly affect the procedures outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, particularly Chapter 62, which governs sex offender registration and tracking. By mandating that the DPS maintain an electronic mail report service for legislators, HB3068 facilitates a more responsive and proactive approach to informing elected officials about the activities and movements of registered sex offenders in their districts. This change may lead to improved community awareness and vigilance, aiding in efforts to monitor and manage sex offenders' reintegration into society.

Summary

House Bill 3068 is focused on enhancing the manner in which state officials request and receive notifications regarding the residences of certain sex offenders. It aims to improve communication between the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Texas state legislators by establishing an electronic mail report service that will provide information about sex offenders residing within specific zip codes. This initiative intends to ensure that legislators have timely access to such critical public safety information, thus enhancing their ability to protect constituents and effectively address concerns related to sex offender registration.

Contention

While the bill represents a step toward tighter communication regarding public safety, there may be concerns regarding privacy and the efficiency of the proposed electronic mail notification system. Critics might argue that this approach could potentially overwhelm legislators with information or lead to misunderstandings about the status of offenders. Furthermore, issues surrounding the accuracy of the information disseminated by the DPS will also be critical to ensure that the public and lawmakers are not alarmed unnecessarily without adequate context.

Notable_notes

The bill takes effect on September 1, 2009, and sets a deadline for full functionality of the electronic mail report service, aiming for operational capacity by January 1, 2010. This timeline emphasizes the state's commitment to bolster legislative oversight and community safety through improved information sharing.