The digital content on TLO has been updated to align with the accessibility standards required by WCAG 2.1.

Enrolled Bill Summary

Enrolled Bill Summary

Legislative Session: 87(R)

House Bill 1694

House Author:  Raney et al.

Effective:  9-1-21

Senate Sponsor:  Schwertner et al.


            House Bill 1694 enacts the Jessica Sosa Act and amends the Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, to establish that it is a defense to prosecution for the following offenses that the applicable actor was the first person to request medical assistance for a possible overdose or was the victim of a possible overdose:

·        possession of a controlled substance or marihuana in certain amounts;

·        manufacture, delivery, or possession of a miscellaneous substance under the act;

·        possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia;

·        possession of a dangerous drug; and

·        possession and use of an abusable volatile chemical.

The bill sets out the conditions under which this defense is not available to the actor.