SRC-JBJ S.B. 18 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 18
77R1598 GWK-DBy: Nelson
Criminal Justice
2/9/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current Texas law, it is a Class B misdemeanor to interrupt an
emergency citizens-band communication and a third degree felony to cause or
threaten harm to a person who reports a crime. As proposed, S.B. 18 makes a
person's prevention or interference, with criminal negligence, of a
telephone call made or attempted to request emergency assistance a Class A
misdemeanor offense.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 42, Penal Code, by adding Section 42.062, as
follows: 

Sec. 42.062. INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CALL. (a) Provides that
a person commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence prevents
or otherwise interferes with a telephone call made or attempted by another
to request assistance in an emergency from a law enforcement agency,
medical facility, or other agency or entity the primary purpose of which is
to provide for the safety of individuals. 

(b) Provides that an offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor,
except that the offense is a state jail felony if the actor has previously
been convicted under this section. 

  (c) Defines "emergency."

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.