Texas House Bill HB90

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Relating to expanding the category of persons required to pay certain costs on conviction imposed to support drug court programs.

Impact

If passed, HB90 would impact various elements of state law, specifically the Code of Criminal Procedure. It aims to shift some financial responsibility onto individuals convicted of specific offenses as a means to support the infrastructure of drug court programs. This could potentially lead to increased funding for these programs, which are designed to help offenders seek treatment and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. Moreover, the law specifies that these costs will only apply to offenses committed after the bill takes effect, preserving the prior law for offenses committed before that date.

Summary

House Bill 90 seeks to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure by expanding the category of offenders required to pay certain costs associated with drug court programs. Specifically, the bill proposes a new mandatory payment of $60 for those convicted of Class B misdemeanors or higher for offenses related to intoxication and drug-related activities. The intent behind this additional cost is to provide funding for local drug court programs aimed at rehabilitation and reducing recidivism among offenders dealing with substance abuse issues.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill may include debates about whether imposing additional costs on offenders could create further financial burden, particularly for those already struggling with substance abuse issues. Critics may argue that the bill does not address the root causes of addiction and instead focuses on punitive measures. Supporters, however, could contend that funding drug courts through these fees is an effective way to promote rehabilitation and enhance public safety by driving offenders towards treatment rather than incarceration.