H.B. No. 379 amends the Penal Code regarding the offense of false caller identification information display. The bill modifies existing language by removing the requirement that the actor must have the intent to defraud or cause harm when making a call that misrepresents their identity or telephone number. It reclassifies the offense as a Class B misdemeanor, but elevates it to a Class A misdemeanor if the actor commits the offense with the intent to defraud or cause harm. Additionally, the bill introduces a new affirmative defense, stating that it is a defense to prosecution if the displayed identity or telephone number is a working number that legally belongs to the actor, their employer, a coworker, or an entity contracting the actor for lawful purposes.

The changes made by this Act will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. Offenses committed prior to this date will be governed by the law in effect at the time of the offense. This ensures that individuals are not retroactively penalized under the new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()