Relating to the admissibility of evidence of certain extraneous offenses or acts in the prosecution of sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault or an attempt or conspiracy to commit sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault.

HB 1977 amends Texas evidence law to allow prosecutors to introduce evidence of a defendant’s prior sexual offenses against the *same victim* in cases involving sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault of children or vulnerable individuals. Specifically, it permits such evidence in prosecutions for offenses like sexual assault of a child (Section 22.011(a)(2)), continuous sexual abuse (Section 21.02), or trafficking involving minors (Section 20A.02), where the victim was under 17 or 18 years old at the time. The bill removes barriers under Rules 404/405 of Texas Evidence Rules, making it admissible to show the defendant’s state of mind or prior relationship with the victim. It does not apply to general prior bad acts but is limited to offenses committed against the specific victim in the current case. The bill remains pending in the Criminal Jurisprudence committee.