HBA-CBW S.B. 340 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 340
By: Haywood
Criminal Jurisprudence
4/30/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the offense of making a  terroristic threat to any
person is a Class B misdemeanor. Enhancing the penalty for committing a
terroristic threat could  deter individuals from engaging in this type of
activity.  Senate Bill 340 provides that a terroristic threat that places
any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury is a Class A
misdemeanor, rather than a Class B misdemeanor, if it is committed against
the person's family or household or against a public servant. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 340 amends the Penal Code to provide that a terroristic threat
that places any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury is a Class
A misdemeanor if it is committed against a member of the person's family or
household or against a public servant.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.