The bill, H.B. No. 1572, aims to enhance penalties for mail theft and certain criminal offenses against employees or contractors of common carriers or delivery services while they are delivering mail. It amends the Penal Code to classify offenses against these individuals as felonies of the third degree, thereby increasing the severity of the penalties. Specifically, the bill introduces new legal language that recognizes employees or contractors of common carriers or delivery services as protected individuals under the law, similar to public servants and emergency personnel.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the theft of mail, establishing presumptions about the possession of mail addressed to multiple individuals and increasing penalties based on the number of addressees affected. For instance, it specifies that possessing mail addressed to at least five persons other than the actor constitutes an offense unless the actor is performing their duties as a delivery service employee. The changes in law will apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that prior offenses are governed by the law in effect at the time they were committed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 22.01, Penal Code 22.02, Penal Code 31.20 (Penal Code 22, Penal Code 31)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 22.01, Penal Code 22.02, Penal Code 31.20 (Penal Code 22, Penal Code 31)