Bill Text: TX HB767 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Relating to preventing the fraudulent issuance and use of disabled parking placards; providing a civil penalty.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 7-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-29 - Considered in Calendars [HB767 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB767-Comm_Sub.html
  83R3658 AJZ-D
 
  By: King of Parker, Phillips, Flynn H.B. No. 767
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to preventing the fraudulent issuance and use of disabled
  parking placards; providing a civil penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 105.002(a), Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A health care provider commits unprofessional conduct
  if the health care provider, in connection with the provider's
  professional activities:
               (1)  knowingly presents or causes to be presented a
  false or fraudulent claim for the payment of a loss under an
  insurance policy;
               (2)  knowingly prepares, makes, or subscribes to any
  writing, with intent to present or use the writing, or to allow it
  to be presented or used, in support of a false or fraudulent claim
  under an insurance policy; [or]
               (3)  knowingly directs or requires a patient to obtain
  health care goods or services from a niche hospital in which the
  health care provider or an immediate family member of the provider
  has a financial interest, unless the provider:
                     (A)  discloses to the patient, in writing, that
  the provider or the provider's family member has a financial
  interest in the niche hospital; and
                     (B)  informs the patient that the patient has the
  option of using an alternative health care facility; or
               (4)  knowingly makes a false or misleading statement in
  a notarized written statement to certify a person's eligibility to
  obtain a disabled parking placard for a person who is ineligible for
  the placard under Section 681.003, Transportation Code.
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 681.011, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 681.011.  CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES [OFFENSES;
  PRESUMPTION].
         SECTION 3.  Section 681.011, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:
         (f-1)  A person who violates this section is liable for a
  civil penalty, not to exceed $750, to the political subdivision
  that:
               (1)  designated the parking space or area specifically
  for persons with disabilities; or
               (2)  provided that this section applies to a parking
  space or area on private property under Subsection (f).
         SECTION 4.  Section 681.011(h), Transportation Code, as
  amended by Chapters 1160 (H.B. 3095) and 1336 (S.B. 52), Acts of the
  81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, is reenacted and amended
  to read as follows:
         (h)  If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this
  section that the person has been previously convicted one time of an
  offense under this section, the offense is punishable by:
               (1)  a fine of not less than $750 [$500] or more than
  $1,000 [$800]; and
               (2)  10 hours of community service.
         SECTION 5.  Section 681.011(i), Transportation Code, as
  amended by Chapters 1160 (H.B. 3095) and 1336 (S.B. 52), Acts of the
  81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, is reenacted and amended
  to read as follows:
         (i)  If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this
  section that the person has been previously convicted two times of
  an offense under this section, the offense is punishable by:
               (1)  a fine of not less than $1,000 [$550] or more than
  $1,250 [$800]; and
               (2)  20 hours of community service.
         SECTION 6.  Section 681.011(j), Transportation Code, as
  amended by Chapters 1160 (H.B. 3095) and 1336 (S.B. 52), Acts of the
  81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, is reenacted and amended
  to read as follows:
         (j)  If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this
  section that the person has been previously convicted three times
  of an offense under this section, the offense is punishable by:
               (1)  a fine of not less than $1,250 [$800] or more than
  $1,500 [$1,100]; and
               (2)  30 hours of community service.
         SECTION 7.  Section 681.011(k), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (k)  If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this
  section that the person has been previously convicted four times of
  an offense under this section, the offense is punishable by a fine
  of $1,500 [$1,250] and 50 hours of community service.
         SECTION 8.  (a)  The Governor's Committee on People with
  Disabilities shall conduct a study to examine the improper use of
  disabled parking spaces, with an emphasis on improper use at large
  buildings and facilities, including stadiums and performing arts
  centers.
         (b)  Not later than December 31, 2014, the Governor's
  Committee on People with Disabilities shall submit a written report
  containing the findings of the study conducted under this section
  together with the committee's recommendations to the legislature
  and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
         SECTION 9.  The change in law made by this Act to Section
  105.002, Occupations Code, applies to a violation that occurs on or
  after the effective date of this Act. A violation that occurs
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect on the date of the violation, and the former law is continued
  in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 10.  The change in law made by this Act to Section
  681.011, Transportation Code, applies only to an offense committed
  on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section,
  an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if
  any element of the offense occurred before that date.
         SECTION 11.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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