HB 2734

relating to public assistance program fraud; creating a criminal
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 32.32, Penal Code, is
Sec. 32.32.  FALSE STATEMENT TO OBTAIN PROPERTY, [OR]
CREDIT, OR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFIT OR IN THE PROVISION OF
SECTION 2.  Section 32.32, Penal Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (b-2) to
(a)  For purposes of this section:
(1)  "Credit" [, "credit"] includes:
(B) [(2)]  furnishing property or service on
(C) [(3)]  extending the due date of an
(D) [(4)]  comaking, endorsing, or guaranteeing a
note or other instrument for obtaining credit;
(E) [(5)]  a line or letter of credit;
(F) [(6)]  a credit card, as defined in Section
32.31 (Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse); and
(2)  "Public assistance program" includes:
(A)  the child health plan program under Chapter
(B)  the financial assistance program under
Chapter 31, Human Resources Code;
(C)  the medical assistance program established
under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code; and
(D)  the nutritional assistance programs under
Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, including the supplemental
nutrition assistance program under that chapter.
(b-2)  A person commits an offense if the person
intentionally or knowingly makes a materially false or misleading
written statement in an application to obtain a benefit under a
(c)  An offense under this section is:
(1)  a Class C misdemeanor if the value of the property
or benefit or the amount of credit is less than $100;
(2)  a Class B misdemeanor if the value of the property
or benefit or the amount of credit is $100 or more but less than
(3)  a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property
or benefit or the amount of credit is $750 or more but less than
(4)  a state jail felony if the value of the property or
benefit or the amount of credit is $2,500 or more but less than
(5)  a felony of the third degree if the value of the
property or benefit or the amount of credit is $30,000 or more but
(6)  a felony of the second degree if the value of the
property or benefit or the amount of credit is $150,000 or more but
(7)  a felony of the first degree if the value of the
property or benefit or the amount of credit is $300,000 or more.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.