Texas House Bill HB4411

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to a central database containing information about persons who have been convicted of or received a grant of deferred adjudication for certain offenses involving the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.

Impact

By establishing this database, HB4411 aims to create a resource that can streamline communication and enforcement efforts among various law enforcement entities. The inclusion of public information, along with certain exemptions for sensitive data, ensures transparency while balancing privacy concerns. This approach intends to repeatedly inform local authorities about non-compliance with registration requirements, thereby potentially reducing drug-related offenses and promoting accountability among known offenders.

Summary

House Bill 4411 introduces a central database specifically designed to track individuals who have been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for offenses related to the manufacture or delivery of controlled substances. Under this bill, the Department of Public Safety will maintain this computerized database, which will include information on such offenders, mandated to register until a specified time period based on their age and the details of their convictions. The intent behind this bill is to enhance public safety by creating a registry that law enforcement can access when needed.

Contention

However, the bill may raise issues among civil rights advocates and those concerned about privacy. Critics might argue that such a public registry could lead to stigmatization of individuals who have served their sentences and met their legal obligations, thereby impeding their reintegration into society. The debates surrounding such measures often touch on the balance between enhancing public safety and protecting the rights of individuals who have faced legal challenges associated with substance-related crimes.