Bill: SB 145, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

Senate Criminal Justice

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

José Rodríguez

Bill Caption

Relating to reimbursement for certain medical costs for survivors of sexual assault.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 145, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2017. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide reimbursement of certain medical care costs for victims of sexual assault and compensation to victims of stalking for housing relocation from the General Revenue-Dedicated Crime Victims' Compensation Account Page 1 of 3 No. 469 by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Under the bill provisions, the OAG indicates the fiscal impact to the Crime Victims' Compensation Account No. 469 would be $2,853,955 in fiscal year 2016, $2,893,069 in fiscal year 2017, $3,045,933 in fiscal year 2018,and $3,351,661 in fiscal years 2019 and 2020. Costs include salaries for 2.0 FTEs,additional reimbursement and compensation, general operating,capital equipment,and benefits.

The Department of Family and Protective Services indicated the costs associated with implementation of the bill could be absorbed with existing resources.

Bill Analysis

SB 145 would provide for the reimbursement of certain medical expenses for victims of sexual assault and housing relocation for victims of stalking as adeptly described by the fiscal note above.

Vote Recommendation Notes

5/24/2015 update:

No changes were made in House committee. 

First chamber recommendation:

Under current law disbursements are already made from the Crime Victims' Compensation Account to assist in covering related medical costs for certain crime victims. This bill would expand what types of expenses may be covered and for whom.

While we agree with the principle of restorative justice, and we recognize that using this account to cover forensic testing costs for victims of sexual assault, it is unclear that covering those costs without regard to whether or not a crime has been reported, or that hiring new full time employees to administer the provisions of this bill, is the best use of the Victims' Compensation Account.

For these reasons we are neutral on SB 145.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 04:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/sb145?print_view=true