The provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions are the subject of this analysis.  The bill would amend the Penal Code to narrow certain definitions of the offense of online solicitation of a minor and eliminate certain circumstances which are not a defense to prosecution. 

Under current law the offense is a second or third degree felony, depending on the circumstances.  A second-degree felony is punishable by confinement in prison for two to 20 years and a third-degree felony is punishable by confinement in prison for two to ten years.  In addition to confinement all felony level offenses are subject to an optional fine not to exceed $10,000.

 
Reducing the circumstances for which a penalty is applied is expected to result in decreased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the state due to shorter terms of probation or shorter terms of confinement in state correctional facilities. In fiscal year 2014, 209 people were arrested, 59 were placed under felony community supervision, and 35 were admitted to state correctional institutions for the offense of online solicitation of a minor.  This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions for criminal offenses would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies.