HBA-KMH H.B. 2765 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2765
By: Moreno, Joe
Criminal Jurisprudence
4/26/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1991, the legislature made revisions to Subtitles C and D, Health and
Safety Code.  Among those changes were modifications of the definition of
mental retardation.  Cross-references throughout the code were not changed.
H.B. 2765 contains nonsubstantive revisions to correct cross-references
pertaining to the revision of the definition of mental retardation in the
Health and Safety Code. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 3(d), Article 46.02, Code of Criminal Procedure,
to provide that the provisions of this section (Examination of the
Defendant) refers to a determination of whether the defendant is a person
with mental retardation as defined by Section 591.003 (Definitions), Health
and Safety Code, rather than a mentally retarded person as defined in
Article 5547-300, V.T.C.S. (Mentally Retarded Persons Act of 1977). Makes
conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 4(a), Article 46.02, Code of Criminal Procedure,
to provide that the provisions of this section (Incompetency Hearing) refer
to a determination of whether the defendant is a person with mental
retardation as defined by Section 591.003, Health and Safety Code, rather
than a mentally retarded person as defined in Article 5547-300, V.T.C.S.
(Mentally Retarded Persons Act of 1977).  Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Sections 6(b), (c), and (d), Article 46.02, Code of
Criminal Procedure, as follows: 

(b) Provides that the proceedings under this section (Civil Commitment -
Charges Pending) are governed by Subtitle C (Texas Mental Health Code),
Title 7, Health and Safety Code, to the extent that subtitle applies,
rather than Article 5547-1 et seq., V.T.C.S. (Texas Mental Health Code).
Authorizes certain instructions to the jury based on a determination of
whether the defendant has been in a mental hospital for at least 60 days or
under Order of Temporary Commitment under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and
Safety Code, rather than pursuant to the provisions of Article 5547-1 et
seq., V.T.C.S., within the twelve months preceding the hearing described in
this section.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

(c) Requires a defendant ordered committed under this section to be treated
and released in accordance with Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety
Code, rather than Article 5547-300, V.T.C.S.  Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes. 

(d) Prohibits the application of provisions of Subtitles C and D (Persons
With Mental Retardation Act), Title 7, Health and Safety Code, rather than
Article 5547-1 et seq., V.T.C.S., relating to notice of hearings in
proceedings conducted under this section. Requires appeals from the
criminal court proceedings under this section to be to the court of appeals
as in the proceedings for court-ordered mental health services under
Subtitle C, Title  7, Health and Safety Code, rather than the Texas Mental
Health Code, or for commitment to a mental retardation facility under
Subtitle D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, rather than Article 5547-1 et
seq., V.T.C.S.. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 7, Article 46.02, Code of Criminal Procedure,
clarify that the Order of Protective Custody described in this section
(Civil Commitment - Charges Dismissed) is issued under Subtitle C, Title 7,
Health and Safety Code, rather than pursuant to provisions of the Texas
Mental Health Code. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Sections 8(a) and (e), Article 46.02, Code of Criminal
Procedure, as follows: 

(a) Provides that a finding that the person is not manifestly dangerous is
not a medical determination that the person no longer meets the criteria
for involuntary civil commitment under Subtitles C and D, Title 7, Health
and Safety Code, rather than Article 5547-1 et seq., V.T.C.S. or Article
5547-300, V.T.C.S.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

(e) Authorizes the court to civilly recommit a person in accordance with
this section (General) under Subtitles C and D, Title 7, Health and Safety
Code, rather than pursuant to the provisions of Article 5547-1 et seq.,
V.T.C.S. or pursuant to the provisions of Article 5547-300, V.T.C.S.
Requires the recommitment to be made to the facility from which the
defendant was discharged if accomplished under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health
and Safety Code, rather than Article 5547-1 et seq., V.T.C.S. and to the
Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation if accomplished
under Subtitle D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, rather than Article
5547-300, V.T.C.S. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 6.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.