Bill > SB1208

This bill increases the criminal penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony in the Texas Penal Code. A state jail felony is a more serious criminal offense that typically carries a higher potential punishment compared to a misdemeanor, which could include longer potential jail time and more significant fines. The bill specifies that these changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act (September 1, 2025), meaning that any offenses committed before that date will still be prosecuted under the previous legal standard. By elevating the offense to a state jail felony, the legislature is signaling that interference with public duties is a more serious violation that warrants stronger legal consequences, potentially as a deterrent to such behavior and to underscore the importance of allowing public officials to perform their duties without obstruction.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1208