The bill amends Section 39.03 of the Penal Code to increase the criminal penalties for certain acts of official oppression. It specifies that an offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, except when a public servant acts with the intent to impair the accuracy of data reported to the Texas Education Agency, which elevates the offense to a felony of the third degree. Additionally, if the public servant is a peace officer and causes bodily injury or threatens imminent bodily injury while engaging in certain conduct, the offense is classified as a felony of the second degree.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision allowing for prosecution under multiple sections if the conduct constitutes offenses under both. The changes in law will apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of January 1, 2026, ensuring that any offenses committed prior to this date will be governed by the law in effect at that time.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 39.03 (Penal Code 39)