HB 1012
AN ACT relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of sale,
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Modifies Texas law regarding the criminal offense of selling, distributing, or displaying harmful material to minors by redefining what constitutes "harmful material" in the penal code. The definition now focuses on material that appeals to a minor's prurient interest, is patently offensive to community standards, and lacks social value. The changes will apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, potentially impacting businesses, publishers, and digital content providers who could face criminal prosecution for distributing materials deemed inappropriate for minors.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 43.24(a)(2), Penal Code, is amended to (2) "Harmful material" means material that [whose dominant theme taken as a whole]: (A) appeals to the prurient interest of a minor, (B) is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is (C) is [utterly] without redeeming social value SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of sale,
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