TITLE: Relating to the creation of the offense of mail theft.

SUMMARY: Relating to the creation of the offense of mail theft.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the creation of the offense of mail theft. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 31, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 31.19 to read as follows: Sec. 31.19. MAIL THEFT. (a) In this section, "mail" means a letter, postal card, package, bag, or other sealed article sent through a common carrier and addressed to a person other than the sender. (b) A person commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the applicable addressee and with the intent to deprive that addressee of the mail, the person appropriates pieces of mail that, in the aggregate, are addressed to at least three persons other than the actor. (c) An offense under this section is: (1) a state jail felony if 10 or fewer pieces of mail are appropriated; (2) a felony of the third degree if more than 10 but fewer than 50 pieces of mail are appropriated; or (3) a felony of the second degree if 50 or more pieces of mail are appropriated. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.