Texas Senate Bill SB278

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to prohibiting making, or encouraging or inducing another to make, silent or abusive calls to a 9-1-1 service or public safety answering point; creating a criminal offense.

Impact

If enacted, SB278 would amend the Penal Code to create new offenses related to silent or abusive calls to 9-1-1. It specifies that an individual is guilty of an offense not only when they make inappropriate calls but also if they induce or encourage others to do so with the intent to harass or embarrass. This change is designed to protect PSAP employees from harassment and ensure emergency lines are available for genuine emergencies, reinforcing the significance of proper communication in crisis situations.

Summary

SB278 aims to enhance the integrity of emergency communication systems by prohibiting the making or encouraging of silent or abusive calls to 9-1-1 services and public safety answering points (PSAPs). The bill stipulates that individuals who make such calls—specifically when there is no emergency—or those who harass PSAP employees are committing a criminal offense. The proposed measure is a direct response to the misuse of emergency services that can impede response times and burden public safety resources.

Contention

While the bill aims to safeguard emergency response operations, there may be concerns about the implications for free speech and the consequences of the criminalization of certain forms of communication. Proponents argue that the measure sets necessary boundaries and protects the well-being of emergency service professionals. On the other hand, critics might view it as an overreach that risks penalizing individuals for behavior that could be misconstrued or that may not constitute a genuine threat, thereby raising ethical considerations on the thresholds for criminality in communications.