AN ACT 1-1 relating to a defense to prosecution for endangering a child. 1-2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-3 SECTION 1. Section 22.041, Penal Code, is amended by adding 1-4 Subsection (g) to read as follows: 1-5 (g) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (c) that 1-6 the act or omission enables the child to practice for or 1-7 participate in an organized athletic event and that appropriate 1-8 safety equipment and procedures are employed in the event. 1-9 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. The 1-10 change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed 1-11 on or after September 1, 1997. An offense committed before 1-12 September 1, 1997, is covered by the law in effect when the offense 1-13 was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that 1-14 purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed 1-15 before September 1, 1997, if any element of the offense occurred 1-16 before that date. 1-17 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-18 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-19 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-20 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-21 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 612 passed the Senate on May 6, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 612 passed the House on May 21, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor