HBA-SEP H.B. 60 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 60
By: Clark
Criminal Jurisprudence
4/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law increases the penalty for assault and robbery if the offense is
committed against an elderly person.  However, the law does not provide a
penalty increase for theft of property owned by an elderly person.  Because
persons age 65 or older have a high median net worth, they may be more
susceptible to crimes of theft and fraud.  In addition, property loss may
be more acutely felt by an elderly person. Increasing the penalty for theft
against an elderly person may better deter the activity.  House Bill 60
provides that the punishment for theft of property owned by a person who is
65 years of age or older is increased to the next higher category of
offense.     

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 60 amends the Penal Code to provide that the punishment for
theft of property owned by a person who is 65 years of age or older is
increased to the next higher category of offense.     

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.