Obstruction of Emergency Telephone Call; Penalty

Sec. 186.042. OBSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CALL; PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if: (1) the person wilfully refuses to relinquish a party line immediately on being informed that the line is needed for an emergency call described by Subdivision (2); and (2) the party line is needed for an emergency call: (A) to a fire or police department; or (B) for medical aid or an ambulance service. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by: (1) a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $500; (2) confinement in the county jail for not more than one month; or (3) both fine and confinement. Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.