Assembly Bill 515 aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding election integrity by criminalizing specific disruptive behaviors intended to interfere with election activities. The bill prohibits individuals from engaging in loud, boisterous, or otherwise disruptive conduct, harassing or intimidating others, or causing serious emotional distress or fear of bodily injury at polling places or during in-person absentee voting. Violators of these provisions may face fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to nine months, or both.

Additionally, the bill introduces a penalty enhancement for crimes such as stalking, disorderly conduct, and harassment when the victim is targeted due to their involvement in voting or election-related duties. Under this enhancement, certain crimes will be reclassified to impose stricter penalties, such as elevating a Class I felony to a Class H felony or a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor for first offenses. The bill also amends existing statutes to incorporate these changes, including the addition of new sections and the modification of existing legal language to reflect the new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 12.09(title), 12.09, 12.60(1)(bm), 12.60