The provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions are the subject of this analysis. The bill would amend various codes as they relate to interference with child custody and to the prosecution and enforcement of child custody offenses. Under the provisions of the bill, a person would commit an offense if they engage in certain behaviors when there is no judgement or order of a court disposition of custody for a child younger than 18 years of age.
 
A state jail felony is punishable by confinement in a state jail for a term from 180 days to 2 years and, in addition to confinement, an optional fine not to exceed $10,000 or Class A misdemeanor punishment.

Expanding the list of behaviors for which a criminal penalty may be applied is expected to result in additional demands upon the correctional resources of counties and of the State due to an increase in individuals placed under supervision in the community or sentenced to terms of confinement in state correctional institutions.  In fiscal year 2018, 133 people were arrested, 15 were placed on felony community supervision, and fewer than ten were admitted into state correctional institutions for interference with child custody under existing statute.  This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations or the demand for state correctional resources.