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Texas · Through 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025

Tex. Penal Code § 42.061: SILENT OR ABUSIVE CALLS TO 9-1-1 SERVICE.

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. PENAL CODE
  2. TITLE 9. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY
  3. CHAPTER 42. DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND RELATED OFFENSES

(a) In this section "9-1-1 service" and "public safety answering point" or "PSAP" have the meanings assigned by Section 771.001, Health and Safety Code.

(b) A person commits an offense if the person makes a call to a 9-1-1 service, or requests 9-1-1 service using an electronic communications device, when there is not an emergency and knowingly or intentionally:

(1) remains silent; or

(2) makes abusive or harassing statements to a PSAP employee.

(c) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly permits an electronic communications device, including a telephone, under the person's control to be used by another person in a manner described in Subsection (b).

(d) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 582, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 284(2), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 331 (H.B. 1972), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2013.

Collected 2026-08-27T01:47:34Z. Source file · JSON

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