H.B. No. 20, known as the Disaster Scam Response Act, aims to enhance consumer protection against fraudulent charitable solicitations and theft during declared disasters. The bill introduces a new designation program for nonprofit organizations and financial institutions that wish to solicit donations for disaster relief efforts. This program, administered by the Secretary of State, will help residents identify reputable organizations to support during emergencies. Additionally, the bill mandates that political subdivisions include designated organizations in their emergency management plans and publish relevant information on their websites to help individuals avoid scams.

The legislation also establishes new criminal offenses and increases penalties for theft and fraudulent solicitation related to disasters. It amends the Penal Code to define "disaster area" and introduces a new offense for malicious solicitation during disasters, which carries severe penalties, including felonies for repeat offenders. Furthermore, the bill allows for civil liability against individuals who engage in malicious solicitation, enabling victims to recover significant damages and attorney's fees. Overall, H.B. No. 20 seeks to protect the public from exploitation during vulnerable times while ensuring that legitimate charitable efforts are supported.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 31.03 (Penal Code 31)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 31.03 (Penal Code 31)
Engrossed: Penal Code 31.03 (Penal Code 31)
Senate Committee Report: Penal Code 31.03 (Penal Code 31)
Enrolled: Penal Code 31.03 (Penal Code 31)