The bill would amend the Penal Code by creating the offense of unauthorized use of emergency communications device.  The offense would be punishable as 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. 

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in county jail for a term not to exceed one year, a fine not to exceed $4,000, or both fine and imprisonment.

A third degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than ten years or less than two years, or, in addition to imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $10,000.

For this analysis it is assumed that the number of offenders convicted under this statute would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies.