HB 3236
AN ACT relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in a school crossing
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 the criminal penalty for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated specifically within a school crossing zone during reduced speed limit times. Whereas a typical intoxicated driving offense would be a Class B misdemeanor, being intoxicated in a school crossing zone will now be classified as a state jail felony, which carries more serious legal consequences. The law aims to enhance safety around school zones by imposing stricter penalties for driving under the influence in areas with children present.
Bill Text
relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone while intoxicated; increasing a criminal penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 49.04, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to read as (b) Except as provided by Subsections (c), [and] (d), and (e) and Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours. (e) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that at the time of the offense the person was operating the motor vehicle in a school crossing zone during the time the reduced speed limit applies to the zone, the offense is a state jail felony. In this subsection, "school crossing zone" has the meaning assigned by Section 541.302, Transportation Code. 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 operation of a motor vehicle in a school crossing
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