HBA-AMW H.B. 322 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 322
By:Tillery
Criminal Jurisprudence
4/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

More than a dozen school shootings around the country in the last five
years have raised the public's awareness and concern regarding safety in
both public and private schools.  Although the legislature has taken steps
to increase the safety of schools throughout the state, under current law,
a murder committed in certain places associated with a public or private
school or educational institution is not a capital offense. House Bill 322
adds a murder that takes place on school property, a school vehicle, or any
grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school is being
conducted to the list of capital offenses. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 322 amends the Penal Code to provide that a person commits
capital murder if the person murders an individual on the physical premises
of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an
activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being
conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational
institution, regardless of whether the school or educational institution is
public or private. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.