Patrick Leblanc

Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my support for HB 1244 and to urge you to vote Ought to Pass. I see this bill as an important clarification in how criminal threatening statutes are applied. In particular, it helps ensure that legitimate self defense related communications and lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not mischaracterized or prosecuted as criminal threats. Clearer definitions benefit everyone involved. They give citizens a better understanding of where the legal lines are, and they provide law enforcement and the courts with more precise guidance when evaluating alleged threatening behavior. At the same time, the bill preserves appropriate penalties for conduct that is genuinely threatening and harmful. In my view, HB 1244 reflects a careful effort to protect public safety without sweeping lawful behavior into criminal territory. That balance matters, especially when constitutional rights are involved. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to support HB 1244 and vote Ought to Pass. Respectfully, Patrick Leblanc