Bill > SB1551

This bill amends the Texas Penal Code to create a new criminal offense related to failure to identify. Specifically, it establishes that it is a crime for a person who is the operator of a motor vehicle lawfully detained by a peace officer to fail to provide or display their driver's license or to intentionally refuse to give their name, driver's license number, residence address, or date of birth to the officer upon request. The bill also clarifies that providing a different residence address than the one on the driver's license does not constitute a refusal to provide the address if it is the person's actual residence. The offense is generally a Class C misdemeanor, but it becomes a Class B misdemeanor if the person gives a false or fictitious name to the officer. The bill also specifies that this new offense can be prosecuted in addition to any other applicable offense.