Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.
Section 42.062 - Interference With Emergency Request for Assistance(a) An individual commits an offense if the individual knowingly prevents or interferes with another individual's ability to place an emergency call or to request assistance, including a request for assistance using an electronic communications device, in an emergency from a law enforcement agency, medical facility, or other agency or entity the primary purpose of which is to provide for the safety of individuals.(b) An individual commits an offense if the individual recklessly renders unusable an electronic communications device, including a telephone, that would otherwise be used by another individual to place an emergency call or to request assistance in an emergency from a law enforcement agency, medical facility, or other agency or entity the primary purpose of which is to provide for the safety of individuals.(c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a state jail felony if the actor has previously been convicted under this section.(d) In this section, "emergency" means a condition or circumstance in which any individual is or is reasonably believed by the individual making a call or requesting assistance to be in fear of imminent assault or in which property is or is reasonably believed by the individual making the call or requesting assistance to be in imminent danger of damage or destruction.Amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 331,Sec. 8, eff. 9/1/2013.Amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 331,Sec. 7, eff. 9/1/2013.Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 460, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2003Amended By Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1164, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2003.Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 690, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2001.