Proposing a constitutional amendment allowing recovery of exemplary damages by parents or a person's estate for a homicide.

HJR 65 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow parents or a deceased person's estate to recover punitive damages (exemplary damages) in homicide cases without waiting for or being tied to a criminal prosecution. The amendment modifies Texas Constitution Article XVI, Section 26 to state that perpetrators of homicide through willful acts, omissions, or gross neglect must pay such damages directly to surviving spouses, children, parents, or the estate. This change removes the previous requirement that civil damage claims be linked to criminal proceedings. The proposed amendment will be submitted to Texas voters in the November 4, 2025, election.