HB 2065

Present law provides that a person commits aggravated criminal trespass who enters or remains on property when t he person knows the person does not have the property owner's effective consent and t he person intends, knows, or is reckless about whether such person's presence will cause fear for the safety of another while either of the following are true:  The person, in order to gain entry to the property, destroys, cuts, vandalizes, alters or removes a gate, signage, fencing, lock, chain or other barrier designed to keep trespassers from entering the property .  The person, while on the property, recklessly damages the property or personal property thereon . This bill removes the above provisions and provides, instead, that a person commits aggravated criminal trespass when the person enters or remains on property when t he person knows the person does not have the property owner's effective consent to do so while any of the following are true:  The person intends, knows, or is reckless about whether such person's presence will cause fear for the safety of another .  The person, in order to gain entry to the property, destroys, cuts, vandalizes, alters, or removes a gate, signage, fencing, lock, chain or other barrier designed to keep trespassers from entering the property .  The person, while on the property, recklessly damages the property or personal property thereon .  The person disrupts a religious assembly within a structure on the property. PENALTY Present law provides that an a ggravated criminal trespass is generally a Class B misdemeanor , punishable by up to six months in prison , a fine of up to $500, or both . This bill raises the offense classification for an a ggravated criminal trespass that involves disruption of a religious assembly to a Class A misdemeanor , punishable by up to 11 months, 29 days in prison , a fine up to $2,500, or both.