TO: | Honorable Aaron Pena, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence |
FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
IN RE: | HB1258 by West, George "Buddy" (Relating to the prosecution of the offense of interference with police service animals.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Penal Code as it relates to interference with police service animals to include injuring or engaging in conduct likely to injure the animal in a manner that would materially and permanently affect the ability of the animal to perform as a police service animal, punishable as a felony of the second degree. The bill would also increase the punishment for killing or engaging in conduct likely to kill a police service animal to a felony of the second degree. Killing or engaging in conduct likely to kill a police service animal is punishable as a felony of the third degree.
A felony of the third degree is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
A felony of the second degree is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Source Agencies: |
LBB Staff: | JOB, TM
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