HB 2645 would amend the chapter entitled “Offenses Against the Family” within the Penal Code related to the violation of certain court orders or conditions of bond in a family violence, sexual assault, or stalking case. This bill would expand what would be considered an offense by adding that removing or attempting to remove a global positioning monitoring system is considered an offense under this section subject to either a Class A misdemeanor or a felony of the third degree.

Currently, violations of bail concerning global positioning monitoring devices are punishable by jail time and/or a fine. This bill would strengthen the language and the penalties when an "ankle bracelet" or other monitoring device is tampered with, removed, or otherwise interfered with.

Monitoring devices are almost always ordered to be worn for a good reason. We support this HB 2645 under our personal responsibility principle.