SB 956

relating to requiring the denial of bail to a person accused of
committing certain trafficking or sexual offenses against a child
while released on bail for committing a similar offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 17.154 to read as follows:
Art. 17.154.  DENIAL OF BAIL FOR COMMISSION OF TRAFFICKING
OR SEXUAL OFFENSE AGAINST A CHILD WHILE ON BAIL FOR COMMITTING
SIMILAR OFFENSE.  (a) This article applies to a defendant charged
with an offense under any of the following provisions of the Penal
(1)  Section 20.04(a)(4), if committed against a child
younger than 17 years of age and the actor committed the offense
with the intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually;
(2)  Section 20A.02(a)(5), (6), (7), or (8);
(3)  Section 20A.03, if based partly or wholly on
conduct that constitutes an offense described by Subdivision (2);
(4)  Section 21.02, involving a victim described by
Subsection (b)(2)(A) of that section;
(5)  Section 21.11(a)(1), if the actor committed the
offense in a manner other than by touching, including touching
through clothing, the breast of a child;
(7)  Section 22.021, if the actor committed the offense
in a manner described by Subsection (a)(1)(B) of that section;
(8)  Section 30.02, if the offense is punishable under
Subsection (d) of that section and the actor committed the offense
with the intent to commit an offense described by Subdivision (1),
(b)  A defendant who is accused of committing an offense
described by Subsection (a) while released on bail pending trial
for another offense described by Subsection (a) shall be denied
bail pending trial if a judge or magistrate, after a hearing,
determines by a preponderance of the evidence that the person
committed the offense while on bail.
(c)  A judge or magistrate who grants bail to a defendant
charged with an offense described by Subsection (a)  shall admonish
the defendant that, if the defendant commits another offense
described by Subsection (a) while on bail, the defendant shall be
denied bail pending trial if a judge or magistrate, following a
hearing, determines by a preponderance of the evidence that the
person committed the offense while on bail.
SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a person who is arrested on or after the effective date of this
Act.  A person arrested before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the person was arrested,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect December 1, 2025, but only
if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2025, authorizing the legislature to enact laws
providing for the denial of bail to a person accused of committing a
trafficking or sexual offense against a child while released on
bail for committing a similar offense is approved by the voters. If
that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no