HBA-SEP, EDN C.S.H.B. 519 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 519 By: Gallego Criminal Jurisprudence 3/11/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Victims of domestic violence are eligible to file a claim with the Texas crime victims' compensation fund to seek compensation for certain costs incurred, including relocation costs. However, the term "domestic violence" is not defined under current statutes and may exclude certain individuals who could benefit from assistance with relocation costs. C.S.H.B. 519 replaces the term "domestic violence" with "family violence" and establishes a definition that enables victims of sexual assault to qualify for compensation. 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 C.S.H.B. 519 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to replace the term "domestic violence" with "family violence" and to establish a definition that enables victims of sexual assault to receive a onetime-only assistance payment as compensation for pecuniary loss for relocation and housing rental expenses. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 519 modifies the original by altering the definition of "family violence."