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.