Honorable Dan Huberty, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB306 by Minjarez (Relating to harassment, bullying, and cyberbullying of a public school student or minor and certain mental health programs for public school students.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
The provisions of the bill addressed by this analysis would amend the Penal Code it relates to harassment, bullying, and cyberbullying. Under the provisions of the bill, bullying would be added to the list of behaviors constituting the offense of harassment. The bill would also expand the definition of electronic communication for the purpose of the offense of harassment. Harassment is punishable by a Class A or Class B misdemeanor, with the punishment based on the specific circumstances of the offense.
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in county jail for a term not to exceed one year and an optional fine not to exceed $4,000. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in county jail for a term not to exceed 180 days and an optional fine not to exceed $2,000.
This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on the demand for state correctional resources.