Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for the offenses of assault and harassment committed against certain employees or agents of a utility and committed in a disaster area or evacuated area.

HB 3869 increases criminal penalties for assault or harassment committed against utility employees or agents while they are working in disaster or evacuated areas. The bill amends Texas Penal Code sections to make such offenses felonies (rather than misdemeanors) when committed against utility workers performing contracted services during disasters, or in retaliation for their work. It specifically targets incidents occurring in declared disaster zones or evacuated areas, directly affecting utility workers responding to emergencies. The law aims to protect these essential personnel during crisis situations by strengthening legal consequences for violence against them.