SRC-TAG S.B. 408 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 408
78R2826 KCR-FBy: Deuell
Criminal Justice
3/29/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, making a terroristic threat to any person is a Class B
misdemeanor offense. Increasing the penalty for a terroristic threat could
deter an individual from engaging in that act. As proposed, S.B. 408
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 actor's family or
household or against a public servant.  

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 22.07, Penal Code, by amending Subsection (b)
and adding Subsection (c), as follows: 

(b)  Provides that an offense under Subdivision (1) or (2) of Subsection
(a) (relating to terroristic threat) is a class B misdemeanor, except that
an offense under Subdivision (2) of Subsection (a) is a Class A
misdemeanor if the offense is committed against a member of the actor's
family or household or against a public servant. 

 (c)  Defines "family" and "household."

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.