HB 3165
AN ACT relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of
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
Increases criminal penalties for certain sexual assault of a child offenses, specifically changing the classification of some sexual assault cases to first-degree felonies based on specific relationship circumstances between the offender and victim. The legislation also modifies parole eligibility, preventing release for individuals convicted of certain sexual assault offenses under specific sections of the Texas Penal Code. These changes aim to provide stricter legal consequences for sexual crimes involving minors and limit potential early release for offenders.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of sexual assault of a child and changing the eligibility for parole of certain persons convicted of that offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 508.145(a), Government Code, is amended (a) An inmate is not eligible for release on parole if the inmate is under sentence of death, serving a sentence of life imprisonment without parole, or serving a sentence for any of the following offenses under the Penal Code: (1) Section 20A.03, if the offense is based partly or wholly on conduct constituting an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(5), (6), (7), or (8); (3) Section 22.011, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (f)(1)(B) of that section; (4) Section 22.021, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (f) of that section; or (5) [(4)] Section 51.03 or 51.04. SECTION 2. Section 22.011(f), Penal Code, is amended to (f) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree, except that an offense under this section is: (1) a felony of the first degree if [the victim was]: (i) a person whom the actor was prohibited from marrying or purporting to marry or with whom the actor was prohibited from living under the appearance of being married under (ii) [(B)] a person with whom the actor was prohibited from engaging in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse under Section 25.02; or (B) the offense was committed under Subsection (2) a state jail felony if the offense is committed under Subsection (a)(1) and the actor has not received express consent as described by Subsection (b)(12). SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply 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 before that date. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of
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