SRC-CDH S.B. 329 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 329 By: Brown Criminal Justice 2-5-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, it is not a criminal offense under the Texas Penal code to give a false statement to a law enforcement employee conducting an investigation if that employee is not a peace officer. This legislation makes it a criminal offense to intentionally give false information to any law enforcement personnel conducting an investigation. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 329 establishes the offense of making a false report to a peace officer or to an employee of a law enforcement agency. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 37.08, Penal Code, as follows: Sec. 37.08. New heading: FALSE REPORT TO PEACE OFFICER OR LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEE. Provides that a person commits a Class B misdemeanor if, with intent to deceive, the person knowingly makes a false statement that is material to a criminal investigation and makes the statement to a peace officer or any employee of a law enforcement agency that is conducting the investigation. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.