AUSTIN (KXAN) — Those who would attack, harass or impede utility workers following a natural disaster will face enhanced criminal charges when a recently passed bill becomes law in September.

Senate Bill 482 would apply higher charges to any person who, with "criminal negligence," "interrupts, disrupts, impedes, or otherwise interferes" with utility workers performing their duties. The bill passed out of the Texas Legislature on May 20.

These protections already apply to emergency services workers and their service animals, animal control workers and public health inspectors while they perform their duties. The law neatly adds utility workers to that list.

Under Texas law, a misdemeanor assault against one of these workers gets enhanced to a third-degree felony. Also, charges of harassm

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