Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB530 by Huffman (Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the criminal offense of harassment; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code to expand the criminal offense of harassment to include publishing communications designed to cause emotional distress, abuse, or torment to another on the Internet, unless the communications are made in connection with a matter of public concern. The offense as expanded by the bill would be a Class B misdemeanor, unless the offense is committed against a child with the intent that the child commit suicide or engage in conduct causing serious bodily injury to the child or the person committing the offense has previously violated a temporary restraining order or injunction prohibiting cyberbullying, in which event the offense would be a Class A misdemeanor.
According to the Office of Court Administration, no significant impact to the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.