|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the punishment for the offense of forgery relating to a |
|
writing of a metal recycling entity. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 32.21, Penal Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsection (e-2) and adding Subsection (e-3) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(e-2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, |
|
an offense under this section is a state jail felony if the writing |
|
is or purports to be a check, authorization to debit an account at a |
|
financial institution, or similar sight order issued by a metal |
|
recycling entity as defined by Section 1956.001, Occupations Code, |
|
regardless of the value of any property or service obtained or |
|
sought to be obtained. |
|
(e-3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, |
|
an offense under this section, other than an offense described for |
|
purposes of punishment by Subsection (e-1)(7) or (e-2), is |
|
increased to the next higher category of offense if it is shown on |
|
the trial of the offense that the offense was committed against an |
|
elderly individual as defined by Section 22.04. |
|
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
|
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
|
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, |
|
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For |
|
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
|
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred |
|
before that date. |
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |