SRC-JBJ S.B. 923 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 923
By: Staples
Criminal Justice
5/17/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

There has been a proliferation of a certain type of crime affecting
retailers in which fraudulent universal product code (UPC) labels are used
for unscrupulous gain.  S.B. 923 amends the definition of "writing" found
in the section of the Penal Code concerning offenses against property so
that it is a Class A misdemeanor for any person to  destroy, remove,
conceal, alter, substitute or otherwise impair a UPC label with the intent
to defraud or harm another. 

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 Section 32.47(b), Penal Code, to redefine "writing" to
include universal product codes. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.