House Bill No. 4274 aims to enhance the protection of election officials in Texas by establishing new criminal offenses related to intimidation, harassment, and interference with their duties. The bill introduces Chapter 280 to the Election Code, which defines key terms such as "election official," "family member," and "personal information." It outlines specific offenses, including intimidation and harassment of election officials, election interference, and the dissemination of personal information that poses a threat to their safety. Penalties for these offenses vary, with intimidation and harassment classified as a third-degree felony, escalating to a second-degree felony for repeat offenders, while dissemination of personal information is categorized as a misdemeanor.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 552.117(a) of the Government Code to include current election officials among those whose personal information is protected from public disclosure. This amendment aims to safeguard the home addresses and other sensitive information of election officials, thereby enhancing their security. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.117 (Government Code 552)