The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice on Oct. 11 voted to report House Bill 2407 to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation after the bill’s sponsor said it would strengthen penalties for repeated failures to comply with offender registration requirements.

Sponsor Senator Hagenbooth told committee members that HB 2407 would amend Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to increase penalties for individuals who repeatedly fail to comply with registration rules, making repeated noncompliance an aggravating factor in sentencing. "The bill also reinforces the seriousness of these registration laws, supports efforts of law enforcement, and enhances public safety by ensuring greater accountability," the sponsor said during the committee hearing.

The sponsor said the bill is intended to close what she described as a statutory loophole that allows some people to knowingly avoid registration obligations without receiving sentences commensurate with the severity of their crimes. She told the committee HB 2407 would explicitly recognize repeated failures to register as an aggravating factor during sentencing.

No invited or public witnesses testified on the bill at the committee hearing. After discussion, the chair moved that HB 2407 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it "do pass"; the clerk called the roll and the motion passed 6–0.

Committee members recorded as voting "Aye" on the motion included Chair Flores; Vice Chair Parker; Senator Hinojosa; Senator Huffman; Senator Miles; and Senator King. The committee record shows 6 ayes and 0 nays.

The bill text, as described in committee, would amend Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure; the sponsor said the amendment would allow courts to treat repeated registration failures as aggravating in determining a sentence. The sponsor also said the bill would not apply retroactively unless explicitly stated in the enacted language.

The committee recessed after completing its business. The measure will next be scheduled for floor consideration by the full Senate.