Lawmakers passed this bill in an effort to deter dangerous street racing, which has grown in popularity. House Bill 1534 expanded Texas Compassionate Use Program for people suffering from certain conditions, including cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. Summary. NOTE: Some applications or features within an application may not be accessible on all mobile devices. With nearly 10,000 bills filed this year, it can be difficult to keep upespecially when they're written in confusing legalese. Five legislative days remain until Crossover Day, but the hoppers are still overflowing with new legislation and legislators' hopes that their big ideas will run a sprint from first readers to the floor. - Adds section 552.2211. This material is a general summary of selected court cases and changes to Texas criminal law as wrought by the 87th session of the Texas Legislature. The Texas Legislature's 87th Regular Session was one of the most extreme in recent memory. Govt Code 552.117, 552.1175; Tax Code 25.025. Download: Texas-2021-SB64-Introduced.html A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a mental health program that includes peer-to-peer counseling for certain law enforcement personnel. The Instructor resource guide can be found under "Courses for Licensure." This updated course must be implemented by September 1, 2022. The points program is under this chapter is going away, and so licenses that are suspended based on this old program are to be reinstated beginning no September 1, 2019. Copyright 2023 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. 607.103, Government Code. This offense has been criticized both as overbroad and difficult to prosecute. The bill also removes a condition that a judge may impose on a state jail felony defendant being placed on community supervision requiring the defendant to submit to confinement in a state jail felony facility for a term not to exceed 90 days at the beginning of the community supervision. Relating to tactical medical officers; requiring an occupational certificate; authorizing fees. Senate Bill 13 prohibits state contracts and investments with companies that boycott energy companies. They were conspicuously absent before this law. Restaurants are allowed to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks with pickup and delivery orders. Law enforcement officials' time and resources could be better spent addressing violent and otherwise serious crimes instead of arresting and prosecuting adults for using marijuana. Case law, especially cases handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States, is of incredible importance to the administration of Justice. The defense to prosecution would not be available if the peace officer was arresting the individual at the time, if he or she was committing another crime or has previously been convicted or placed on deferred for a drug offense. Constitutional Carry HB 1927: Signed June 16 If the person is arrested or detained solely for this offense, law enforcement must also ensure all of the persons property is preserved. The punishments would be increased one level, so if an offense was a Class A misdemeanor, for example, it would be elevated to a state jail felony. Impersonating or purporting to be a private investigator is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a maximum $4,000 fine. Senate Bill 149 expanded the definition of critical infrastructure facilities to include public or private airports recognized by the FAA and military installations owned or operated by the federal or state government, or another governmental entity. See the updated list of offenses where the jury cant recommend probation, The bill prohibits deferred adjudication for Trafficking of Persons and Continuous Trafficking of Persons.See the updated list of offenses that are not eligible for deferred. In an effort to cut down on dangerous reckless driving exhibitions and street racing, lawmakers added the definition of reckless driving exhibition to the Penal Code and increased the penalties for people who participates in reckless driving events. Note: This table is designed to asist TCOLE commissioners and staff in keeping track of state legislative actions that may affect the Commission. The new laws will affect abortion access, social studies curriculum and cities that trim the budgets of law . House Bill 1306 makes assault a third-degree felony (punishably by up to 10 years in prison) and aggravated assault a first-degree felony (punishable by up to life in prison) if the actor knew the person was performing a duty as a process server. First-degree felonies would not be increased. To complete this course, you are required to have a computer with internet access. JANUARY 6, 2023, NUMBER 1. Feel free to share this information and tell us your thoughts on Texas new criminal justice laws. $15 for the 30-day general use permit; $15 for the 90-day resident and non-resident . Relating to an employment termination report submitted by a law enforcement agency. To successfully complete this online course, you should have access to a computer with the following system requirements: To meet attendance requirements, participants must review each training module and complete all required course assignments, activities, quizzes, and/or end of course exam. The funds would come from contraband that was used to commit or facilitate human trafficking offenses. Institute for Law Enforcement and Protective Services ExcellencePhone: (979) 845-6677 | Toll-Free: (800) 423-8433Email: [emailprotected], TEEX PoliciesTEEX Participant HandbookConduct During Live Online Instructor-Led Courses. 1. The bill also allows officers to enter the premises to ensure compliance. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Action. The law freezes property tax revenues for cities with a population over 250,000 that defund the police. The bill requires TDCJ to annually identify at least 100 inmates who are suitable candidates for participation in the pilot program and requires the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System to develop and annually provide a training program to educate and inform judges on the components of the pilot program. It prohibits a state agency, political subdivision, or law enforcement officer from receiving state funds if the entity contracts with or provides assistance in any way to a federal agency related to firearms registration, background checks, confiscation programs or firearm sales. Senate Bill 2212 establishes a duty for officers to request emergency medical services and render aid to a person who is injured during the course of an officers duties as long as it is safe for the officer to do so. Texas lawmakers sought to discourage this conduct by increasing the penalty for directing a laser pointer at an officer and by creating the criminal offense for the unlawful use of fireworks. The officer, however, must return the persons handgun before leaving the scene if the officer determines the person was not a threat and didnt commit a violation. HB 427 amends the penalty scheme for prosecutions under Penal Code Sections 32.47 (Fraudulent Destruction, Removal, or Concealment of Writing) for Price Tag-switching. 165: Commemorating the bicentennial of the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the oldest State law enforcement agency in North America, and honoring the men and women, past and present, of the Texas Rangers. Relating to a study by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement of the reporting and use of information concerning the termination of a license holder's employment. This law was passed in an effort to prevent abuses and ensure protection of vulnerable residents. (download document) Effective Sept. 1, 2021 The bill was filed in response to the 2019 Walmart Shooting in El Paso, which left 23 people dead. It is now a third-degree felony to damage, destroy or steal an ATM machine. See the full Disclaimer and Privacy Policy, 2023 Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC, 86th Legislative Session: Texas Criminal Law Update, Jump to the section about the new DWI Deferred law, Jump to the section about the new Hemp laws, Unlawful Disclosure of Intimate Visual Material, Learn more about the changes on our Unlawful Disclosure of Intimate Visual Material offense page, Trespass by License Holder with a Concealed Handgun, Trespass by License Holder with an Openly Carried Handgun, Fraudulent Destruction, Removal, or Concealment of Writing, Misrepresenting a Child as a Family Member at a Port of Entry, Learn more about the new definition of marihuana, Learn more about the new fine structure on our DWI page, Failure to Render Aid (Fleeing the Scene of an Accident) resulting in death, Learn more about the Operation of Stash House offense, Fraudulent Use or Possession of Credit Card or Debit Card Information, Learn more about the Fraudulent Use or Possession of Credit Card or Debit Card Information offense, Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information, See the updated list of offenses where a judge may not recommend community supervision, See the updated list of offenses where the jury cant recommend probation, See the updated list of offenses that are not eligible for deferred, Unlawful Electronic Transmission of Sexually Explicit Visual Material, Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center, Learn more about the new DWI Deferred eligibility on our DWI Probation page, Aggravated Online Promotion of Prostitution, Taking or Attempting to Take Weapon From Peace Officer, Federal Special Investigator, Employee or Official of Correctional Facility, Parole Officer, Community Supervision and Corrections Department Officer, or Commissioned Security Officer, We will be adding more information on our Nondisclosure page, DPS Releases New Sex Offender Deregistration Eligibility List, Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Proposed Updates for 2023. We will be adding more information on our Nondisclosure page. Relating to the establishment of the Office for Sexual Assault Survivor Assistance within the criminal justice division of the governor's office. Check the TAB for more information, Education Services is updating the Instructor Proficiency courses and would love your feeback. House Bill 957 repeals the criminal offense of possessing, manufacturing, transporting, or repairing a firearm silencer. House Bill 9 enhances the criminal penalty to a state jail felony offense for anyone who knowingly blocks an emergency vehicle or obstructs access to a hospital or health care facility. Here is a roundup of the new criminal laws and the biggest changes to existing laws stemming from the 87th legislative session. SB 20 makes various updates related to prostitution and sex trafficking-related offenses. The 87th session of the Texas Legislature adjourned "sine die" after 140 days. Relating to public school safety measures, access to mental health professionals in public schools and during certain emergencies, access to criminal history and mental health records, and access to firearms; requiring a certificate for employment as a sc. -Redesignates certain subsections. The penalty can go up to a Class A misdemeanor, however, if the actor has been previously convicted of the offense or if it involved a child under age 18 with the intent to cause the child serious bodily injury or to commit suicide. Summary of New Laws Impacting Handgun Licensing. The Office of Court Administration is tasked with developing and making available to each county (at no cost) a court reminder program. HB 902 creates an enhancement to the Assault offense when the victim is pregnant. Learn more about the changes on our Unlawful Disclosure of Intimate Visual Material offense page. Senate Bill 23 requires voter approval to reduce law enforcement budgets in counties with a population of more than one million. HB 2352, Filed without Governors Signature. This list does not encompass all changes impacting public information. In response to mass shootings, lawmakers have ordered the implementation of the Texas Active Shooter Alert System, which will allow Texans to receive alerts if an active shooting is taking place in their area. This legislation puts more responsibility on officers in excessive force cases. Prior Results Do Not Guarantee a Similar Outcome. This bill was passed in response to the growing number of elderly Texans who fall victims to scams, frauds and exploitation each year. The 87th Texas Legislature began on Jan. 12, 2021 and officially concluded on May 31st, 2021 (although Gov. To Senate Criminal Justice Committee. Press Release. Access a mobile version of TLO, Who Represents Me, and DistrictViewer on an iPhone, iPad, or other mobile device. Additionally, it slightly changes the Nondisclosure scheme that the legislature came up with in 2017 in the 85th Texas Legislature. TML Legislative Update Number 1 (PDF) TML Legislative Update Number 1. . Senate Bill 768 enhances criminal penalties for manufacturing and distributing fentanyl in Texas. These new offenses are also added to the Trafficking of Persons offense scheme. Relating to certain duties of peace officers and law enforcement agencies concerning certain information subject to disclosure to a defendant. Here's a look at the changes to criminal laws in Texas to be aware of: House Bill 2048 - Mandatory Special Fines for DWIs Signed by the Governor, Effective Sept. 1, 2019 HB 2048 eliminates the so-called Driver Responsibility Program and the controversial surcharges that went with it. HB 2524 amends the Theft of Service offense. Learn more about the new fine structure on our DWI page. This new law prohibits hotels from banning firearms, however the hotel can adopt a policy requiring firearms and ammunition to be carried in a certain manner in a common area on the property. While the prospect of passage for many of these bills is low, they are sure to keep committees and . Approved Subjects Acceptable Activities Reporting Completed Courses Registration Renewal Requirements A code enforcement officer must complete a total of 12 hours continuing education within the 24 months preceding renewal of a registration, with at least one hour in legal or legislative issues. Thanks for checking our our 2021 legislative update. The behavior targeted in this law would have been classified as a Class C Assault passage of this bill. HB 2758 adds (1) Section 20A.03, Penal Code (Continuous Trafficking of Persons) and (2) Section 43.04, Penal Code (Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution) to the list of offenses where judges are prohibited from granting community supervision. Broadband or high-speed internet connection, Recommended: Wired connection with at least 2.0 Mbps bandwidth (bi-directional, i.e. Relating to hiring and licensing certain persons as peace officers. It is now a felony to explode or ignite fireworks to interfere with or flee from official police activity. Tex. Relating to the duties of the Texas School Safety Center and school districts regarding public school safety and security. Hotel guests are now allowed to carry and store firearms and ammunition in their private hotel rooms. Unless otherwise noted, bills went into effect on September 1, 2021. The new law is part of sweeping legislation aimed at cracking down on human trafficking. SB 1802 adds Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution to the list of reportable offenses, expands the definition of coercion for Trafficking offenses, increases the penalties for Compelling Prostitution, Promotion of Prostitution and Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution, expands the definition of Compelling Prostitution to include coercion. We have more on all of these changes on the respective offense pages. The punishment is a third-degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in prison, if a person is seriously injured or killed as a result of the emergency response. Challenges to National Broadband Map Due January 13. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. For more information, visit the Prostitution offense page. House Bill 3257 creates the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission. House Bill 1927 authorizes Constitutional Carry in Texas, meaning law-abiding Texans can legally carry a handgun without a license to carry. HB 37 creates the new offense of Mail Theft. Making it a crime to carry a firearm while intoxicated. Allowing a peace officer to disarm a citizen at any time if he or she believes it is necessary to protect the person, the officer or another individual. A state jail felony is punishable by six months to two years in a state jail facility and a maximum $10,000 fine. Govt Code 552.117, 552.1175; Tax Code 25.025. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to the storing of Cookies and consenting to our Privacy Policy, IRECA/TEEX Annual Conference and Challenges, Texas IAAI Fire & Arson Investigators Seminar, Cybersecurity Vulnerability Testing and Assessment, National Unmanned Aircraft Systems Credentialing Program, Traditional/Online Curriculum Development, Conduct During Live Online Instructor-Led Courses. 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