Criminal Justice

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 15, 2025

SB 35: Relating to the criminal offense of interference with child custody.

SB 35 amends Texas law to criminalize noncustodial parents who knowingly entice or persuade a child under 18 to leave the custody of the custodial parent or guardian. The offense is typically a Class C misdemeanor (with a $500 fine), but becomes a state jail felony if the parent has two prior convictions for this offense or if the child is enticed to leave the state. The law applies only to offenses committed after its effective date (91 days after the legislative session ends), not retroactively. This bill directly affects noncustodial parents involved in custody disputes who interfere with a child’s lawful custody arrangements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for custody interference with escalating penalties (fine to state jail felony), aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increased criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 195: Relating to designating certain substances as Schedule IV controlled substances under the Texas Controlled Substances Act.

HB 195 would add three substances - carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant), mifepristone (a medication used in medical abortions), and misoprostol (often used with mifepristone for abortions) - to Schedule IV of the Texas Controlled Substances Act. This change would regulate these substances under stricter state drug laws, affecting their legal possession, distribution, and use in Texas. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of January 1, 2026, with prior offenses governed by existing law. The policy change directly impacts healthcare providers, pharmacies, and individuals handling these specific medications within Texas.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds abortion medications to Schedule IV, increasing criminal penalties for possession/distribution under drug laws, expanding criminalization of abortion access.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts access to abortion-related medications (mifepristone/misoprostol) by classifying them under stricter drug laws, limiting patient access to healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 25, 2025

SB 15: Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.

SB 15 requires Texas law enforcement agencies to create and maintain confidential "department files" for each employee who holds a license (such as a peace officer or security officer). These files must include documents about employee conduct - like unproven misconduct allegations - that aren't in regular personnel records, and must be kept separate from those files. Agencies can share these files with the licensing commission for hiring reviews or investigations, but otherwise the files are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Texas law. The bill applies directly to all law enforcement agencies employing licensed personnel and takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates confidential files for law enforcement conduct including unproven allegations, shared with licensing commission for hiring reviews, enhancing officer accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 236: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

HB 236 creates an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain laws if they were victims of human trafficking or compelled prostitution. It applies when a person engaged in criminal conduct (like prostitution or other offenses) directly because they were subjected to force, fraud, or coercion by traffickers, and would not have committed the act otherwise. The defense requires showing the conduct was compelled by such means, that a reasonable person in similar circumstances would have been compelled, and that the person wasn’t merely offered an opportunity without coercion. This applies to prosecutions for offenses under Sections 20A.02 (human trafficking) or 43.05 (prostitution) but excludes specific offenses listed in state law. The bill affects individuals prosecuted for crimes committed while trafficked, shifting legal focus to their victim status during prosecution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates affirmative defense for trafficking victims, reducing prosecution of coerced conduct and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like victim protection and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 42: Relating to the creation of the office of state special prosecutor.

HB 42 creates a new office of State Special Prosecutor in Texas, appointed by the Supreme Court for four-year terms. This office handles specific criminal cases including election law violations, human trafficking, certain abortion law violations (Chapters 170-171 Health and Safety Code), offenses under Sections 557.001 and 42.02 of the Penal Code, and other designated cases. The bill establishes procedures for appointing assistants, filling vacancies (with the governor stepping in if the Supreme Court delays), and maintaining staff support through agreements with the Attorney General's office. The State Special Prosecutor has concurrent jurisdiction to represent the state in district and inferior courts for these targeted cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specialized prosecutor office for serious crimes (human trafficking, election violations), strengthening oversight and prosecution in designated criminal justice areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 10: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

HB 10 creates an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain Texas criminal laws if they were victims of human trafficking or compelling prostitution. The bill states that a person cannot be prosecuted for conduct committed as a direct result of force, fraud, or coercion used by traffickers, provided they would not have engaged in that conduct without such coercion. This defense applies only when the conduct was compelled by trafficking tactics (as defined in Texas law), the victim wasn't merely offered an opportunity to commit the act, and the offense isn't listed in specific criminal procedure statutes. The law affects trafficking victims who face prosecution for crimes they committed while being trafficked, such as prostitution or drug offenses. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates affirmative defense for trafficking victims to prevent prosecution for coerced acts, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect vulnerable individuals and reduce punitive outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

introduced · Texas · House Aug 19, 2025

HB 252: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

Based on the available information, HB 252 establishes an affirmative defense for individuals who are victims of human trafficking or compelling prostitution when prosecuted for offenses directly related to their victimization. The bill would allow these individuals to assert this defense in court, potentially avoiding criminal charges for acts committed under coercion. However, the specific legal mechanisms, eligibility criteria, and affected parties are not detailed in the provided context. The bill text is currently unavailable (noted as "coming soon"), so a full summary of provisions cannot be generated. For accurate details, the official bill text or PDF should be consulted once available.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes affirmative defense for trafficking/prostitution victims to avoid prosecution for coerced acts, protecting civil rights and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking

Track

passed both · Texas · House Sep 2, 2025

HB 15: Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.

HB 15 would require Texas law enforcement agencies to maintain confidential "department files" for each employee who holds a law enforcement license. These files must include documents about alleged misconduct (even if unproven) and other relevant letters or memos not in standard personnel files. Agencies could share these files with other agencies when hiring license holders but must keep them confidential otherwise, except for specific legal requests like investigations. The bill aims to standardize how agencies handle sensitive information about licensed employees while protecting privacy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates confidential misconduct records for officers, enhancing accountability during inter-agency hiring, aligning with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

introduced · Texas · House Aug 28, 2025

HB 308: Relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near school or day-care center property.

HB 308 creates a new criminal offense for trespassing on or near school or day-care center property. It applies to individuals who enter school property or remain within 250 feet of it if their conduct is disruptive, threatening, or harassing to students, staff, or school operations, and they lack a valid reason (like custody) or written permission from the school. The law requires that the person ignores a reasonable request to leave from school staff before being charged. Violating this law is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine. The bill specifically targets disruptive behavior near schools, not general trespassing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal trespass offense near schools, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for non-violent conduct near educational facilities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates criminal offense for disruptive trespass on school property, enhancing safety and protection of school facilities as part of educational environment.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections School Safety

Track

introduced · Texas · House Sep 3, 2025

HB 314: Relating to requiring notice regarding the potential eligibility to vote of certain persons convicted of a felony.

HB 314 requires judges and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to provide written notice to certain individuals about their potential eligibility to register to vote after completing a felony conviction. Specifically, judges must notify defendants at the time of discharge from community supervision, and the department must notify offenders (including inmates or state jail defendants) upon completion of their sentence, including parole or mandatory supervision. The notice informs them they may be eligible to register to vote under Texas election law (Section 13.001). This requirement applies only to those who fully discharge their sentence or complete probation on or after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires notice of voting eligibility post-felony, promoting reintegration and civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

Track