Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for forgery.

SB 1379 increases criminal penalties for forgery in Texas by creating a new value-based penalty structure. It raises penalties based on the value of property or services obtained through forgery, ranging from Class B misdemeanors for under $100 to first-degree felonies for $300,000+ (Section 1, subsection e-1). The bill also specifies higher penalties for forging certain documents like wills, deeds, credit cards, government records, or instruments issued by government entities (Sections 1(d) and 1(e)). Additionally, it mandates enhanced penalties when forgery targets elderly individuals (Section 1(e-2)). The law applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025).