BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 1371

                                                                                                                                   By: Jones, Jesse

                                                                                                                       Criminal Jurisprudence

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Impersonating a peace officer or other public servant is currently a felony of the 3rd degree.  Recent violent crimes involving individuals impersonating a law enforcement officer and the current concerns regarding homeland security have dictated  that a harsher penalty is warranted. 

 

House Bill 1371 would increase the offense of a person involved in impersonating a peace officer to a felony of a 2nd degree if the individual intends to commit an offense while impersonating a peace officer.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

House Bill 1371 amends the Penal Code to increase the offense of a person involved in impersonating a peace officer to a felony of a 2nd degree if the individual intends to commit an offense while impersonating a peace officer.  The term "uniform" is added in the list of  impersonable  items that a person can be prosecuted for under this Act.  The change in the law would only apply to an offense committed after the effective date of the act.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2005.