H.B. No. 4414 aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding criminal offenses related to mail and mail receptacles. The bill amends Section 31.20 of the Penal Code by redefining "mail" to include items in transit or delivered but not yet received, and introduces the definition of "negotiable instrument" as per the Business & Commerce Code. It establishes that a person commits an offense if they intentionally appropriate mail without the addressee's consent, with the intent to deprive the addressee or steal a negotiable instrument. The penalties for such offenses are escalated based on the number of addressees affected, with specific classifications of felonies depending on the scale of the appropriation.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 32.56, which criminalizes the unlawful conduct involving mail receptacle keys or locks. It defines the offense as obtaining, possessing, duplicating, transferring, or using a postal service key or lock with the intent to harm or defraud another person. The penalties for this offense are set as a felony of the third degree, escalating to a felony of the second degree for repeat offenders. 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 existing law at the time of their commission.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 31.20, Penal Code 3.104 (Penal Code 31, Penal Code 3)