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HB 3744

AN ACT relating to the definition of intervenor for purposes of crime

House Bill Manuel
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Fiscal Note

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What This Bill Does

Clarifies the legal definition of an "intervenor" in Texas criminal law, specifically protecting individuals who are killed or injured while attempting to prevent a crime or apprehend a suspected criminal in good faith. The definition provides legal protections for citizens who voluntarily step in to help stop criminal activity or assist law enforcement, ensuring they or their families can potentially receive support if harm occurs during such intervention. The amendment will apply to actions taken on or after September 1, 2025.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to the definition of intervenor for purposes of crime
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Article 56B.003(9), Code of Criminal Procedure,
(9)  "Intervenor" means an individual who goes to the
aid of another and is killed or injured in a good faith effort to:
(A)  prevent a criminal offense [criminally
(B)  apprehend a person reasonably suspected of
having engaged in criminally injurious conduct; or
SECTION 2.  Article 56B.003(9), Code of Criminal Procedure,
as amended by this Act, applies only to an action taken by an
intervenor on or after the effective date of this Act.  An action
taken by an intervenor before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the action was taken, and
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the definition of intervenor for purposes of crime