80R7921 JPL-D
 
  By: Talton H.B. No. 2307
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the offense of unauthorized use of an
emergency communications device.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Chapter 42, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Section 42.063 to read as follows:
       Sec. 42.063.  UNAUTHORIZED USE OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
DEVICE. (a) In this section:
             (1)  "Emergency" means a condition or circumstance in
which an individual is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury
or in which property is in imminent danger of damage or destruction.
             (2)  "Emergency communications device" means any
device routinely used by first responders to report emergencies.
             (3)  "First responder" has the meaning assigned by
Section 421.095, Government Code.
       (b)  A person commits an offense if the person is not a first
responder and the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
             (1)  uses an emergency communications device without
authorization; or
             (2)  transmits an unauthorized communication by using
an emergency communications device.
       (c)  An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor,
unless the actor, during the commission of the offense, interferes
with the ability of a first responder to respond to an emergency, in
which event the offense is a felony of the third degree.
       (d)  If conduct constituting an offense under this section
also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the
actor may be prosecuted under either section or both sections.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.