HBA-NLM H.B. 320 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 320 By: Driver Criminal Jurisprudence 2/9/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, it is a Class B misdemeanor to interfere with an animal being used in law enforcement. There is no separate penalty for killing or injuring a police service dog. A number of dogs have been killed or injured in the line of duty. H.B.320 provides that it is an felony of the third degree if the offense causes serious bodily injury or death to an animal being used in law enforcement, corrections, prison or jail security, or for investigative purposes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 38.15 (b) , Penal Code, to provide that an offense under this section (Interference with Public Duties) is a Class B misdemeanor unless otherwise provided by this subsection. Provides that an offense under Subsection (a)(4) is a felony of the third degree if the offense causes serious bodily injury or death to the animal. Subsection (a)(4) states that a person commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence interrupts, disrupts, impedes, or otherwise interferes with an animal under the supervision of a peace officer, corrections officer, or jailer, if the person knows the animal is being used for law enforcement, corrections, prison or jail security, or investigative purposes. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.