The bill would amend the Penal Code to create a defense to the prosecution of unlawful carrying of a handgun by a license holder and carrying a weapon in places that are prohibited for members of a school board and a superintendent of a school who are attending a school board meeting.  These offenses are punishable by a Class A misdemeanor or a third degree felony, depending on the circumstances. 

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year and in addition to confinement, and optional fine to exceed $4,000.  A third-degree felony is punishable by confinement in prison for a term of two to ten years and, in addition to confinement, an optional fine not to exceed $10,000.  The impact of the bill on correctional populations would depend on how many fewer persons would be prosecuted under the proposed statute compared to existing statute.   It is assumed that the number of offenders supervised or incarcerated under this statute would not significantly impact state correctional agency resources.