Signed by Governor Bill Lee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a court to enhance the statutory penalty, up to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole, for a conviction under certain circumstances involving undocumented individuals.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a court to enhance the statutory penalty, up to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole, for a conviction under certain circumstances involving illegal aliens or crimes occurring on school property while students or other children are present (Sec. 1). 

• Define terms related to crime on school grounds (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a court may enhance the statutory penalty up to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole for a conviction if the person was in the state without documentation as a legal immigrant or occurred on school property (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that any other factors indicating the defendant's ties to the community or bearing onthe defendant's risk of willful failure to appear, including, but not limited to, whether the defendant is lawfully present in this state may be used when determining sentences (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, then the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end, the provisions of this act are severable (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a court to enhance the statutory penalty, up to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole, for a conviction under certain circumstances involving undocumented individuals.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a court to enhance the statutory penalty, up to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole, for a conviction under certain circumstances involving illegal aliens or crimes occurring on school property while students or other children are present (Sec. 1). 

• Define terms related to crime on school grounds (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a court may enhance the statutory penalty up to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole for a conviction if the person was in the state without documentation as a legal immigrant or occurred on school property (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that any other factors indicating the defendant's ties to the community or bearing onthe defendant's risk of willful failure to appear, including, but not limited to, whether the defendant is lawfully present in this state may be used when determining sentences (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, then the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end, the provisions of this act are severable (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text