Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas House Bill HB3925

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the monitoring of certain high-risk sex offenders and to information concerning certain sex offenders.

Impact

By implementing a system of electronic monitoring for those classified as high-risk, HB 3925 aims to enhance public safety and create a more robust framework for managing sex offenders after their release. Additionally, the bill requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to coordinate a program that supplies local law enforcement agencies with monitoring equipment. This initiative not only increases accountability for high-risk registrants but also facilitates law enforcement's ability to verify compliance with registration requirements.

Summary

House Bill 3925 focuses on the monitoring of certain high-risk sex offenders and establishes protocols for risk assessment and electronic monitoring systems. The bill amends Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, introducing new articles that define 'sexually predatory conduct' and outline procedures for determining an individual's predatory risk level. The risk assessment utilizes a dynamic tool developed by the Council on Sex Offender Treatment to classify individuals upon their release from a penal institution as low, medium, or high risk for recommitting predatory acts of sexual violence.

Conclusion

Overall, HB 3925 represents an important legislative effort to refine how high-risk sex offenders are monitored in Texas. By combining risk assessment with technology-driven monitoring solutions, lawmakers seek to address the pressing concerns surrounding sexual violence and enhance the mechanisms available for preventing future crimes.

Contention

The bill has the potential to spark debates regarding the implications of increased monitoring and classification of sex offenders. Advocates emphasize that these measures are crucial for protecting communities and preventing future offenses, while critics may voice concerns about the balance between public safety and the civil rights of individuals who have served their time. Furthermore, the financial responsibility for the monitoring system, which falls on the offender if they are not indigent, might raise issues of fairness and accessibility.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.