Criminal Justice (Corrections)

HB 320 prohibits the sale or transfer of semiautomatic rifles to anyone under 21 years old, expanding existing restrictions that previously only applied to children under 18 for other firearms. The bill amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.06 to make violations a state jail felony (up from a misdemeanor) for this specific transfer. It directly affects firearm sellers, dealers, and individuals under 21 attempting to purchase semiautomatic rifles. The law applies only to semiautomatic rifles, not all firearms, and does not change existing provisions for transfers to minors under 18 with parental consent. The bill is currently in the filing stage with no voting record yet.

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.

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.

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.

HB 303 requires Texas' Commission on Jail Standards to study the living conditions and safety of people confined in Harris County Jail. The commission must complete this study and submit a written report with recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects Harris County Jail inmates by mandating an official evaluation of their conditions, and it places a specific reporting obligation on the Commission. The bill expires September 1, 2027, but does not change existing jail policies.