The bill would amend the Penal Code to allow individuals under certain circumstances to carry concealed weapons on the grounds of schools, educational institutions, vehicles of schools or educational institutions, amusement parks, places of religious worship, and at certain government meetings.  Under current law, carrying a concealed handgun on the premises of these places is a violation of the offenses of carrying a weapon in places that are prohibited and unlawful carrying of a handgun by a license holder.  The offenses are punishable by a Class A misdemeanor or a third degree felony, depending on the circumstances.  The bill takes effect September 1, 2013, and applies only to an offense committed on or after that date

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year and in addition to confinement, an 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.