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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
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AN ACT
|
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relating to the trafficking of persons. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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ARTICLE 1. PROSECUTION AND PUNISHMENT OF TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS |
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SECTION 1.01. Section 20A.01, Penal Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (3) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(1) "Forced labor or services" means labor or |
|
services, including conduct that constitutes an offense under |
|
Section 43.02, 43.03, 43.04, 43.05, or 43.25 [43.02], that are |
|
performed or provided by another person and obtained through an |
|
actor's use of force, threat, or coercion[:
|
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[(A) causing or threatening to cause bodily
|
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injury to the person or another person or otherwise causing the
|
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person performing or providing labor or services to believe that
|
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the person or another person will suffer bodily injury;
|
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[(B) restraining or threatening to restrain the
|
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person or another person in a manner described by Section 20.01(1)
|
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or causing the person performing or providing labor or services to
|
|
believe that the person or another person will be restrained;
|
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[(C) knowingly destroying, concealing, removing,
|
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confiscating, or withholding from the person or another person, or
|
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threatening to destroy, conceal, remove, confiscate, or withhold
|
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from the person or another person, the person's actual or
|
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purported:
|
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[(i) government records;
|
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[(ii) identifying information; or
|
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[(iii) personal property;
|
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[(D) threatening the person with abuse of the law
|
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or the legal process in relation to the person or another person;
|
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[(E) threatening to report the person or another
|
|
person to immigration officials or other law enforcement officials
|
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or otherwise blackmailing or extorting the person or another
|
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person;
|
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[(F) exerting financial control over the person
|
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or another person by placing the person or another person under the
|
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actor's control as security for a debt to the extent that:
|
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[(i) the value of the services provided by
|
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the person or another person as reasonably assessed is not applied
|
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toward the liquidation of the debt;
|
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[(ii) the duration of the services provided
|
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by the person or another person is not limited and the nature of the
|
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services provided by the person or another person is not defined; or
|
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[(iii) the principal amount of the debt
|
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does not reasonably reflect the value of the items or services for
|
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which the debt was incurred; or
|
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[(G) using any scheme, plan, or pattern intended
|
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to cause the person to believe that the person or another person
|
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will be subjected to serious harm or restraint if the person does
|
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not perform or provide the labor or services]. |
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(3) "Child" means a person younger than 17 years of |
|
age. |
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SECTION 1.02. Section 20A.02(b), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(b) An [Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, an] |
|
offense under this section is a felony of the second degree, except |
|
that the offense[. An offense under this section] is a felony of |
|
the first degree if[:
|
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[(1) the applicable conduct constitutes an offense
|
|
under Section 43.05 or 43.25 and the person who is trafficked is a
|
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child younger than 18 years of age at the time of the offense,
|
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regardless of whether the actor knows the age of the child at the
|
|
time the actor commits the offense; or
|
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[(2)] the commission of the offense results in the |
|
death of the person who is trafficked. |
|
SECTION 1.03. Chapter 20A, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
|
Sections 20A.03 and 20A.04 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 20A.03. TRAFFICKING OF CHILD IN FURTHERANCE OF SEXUAL |
|
CONDUCT OR PERFORMANCE. (a) A person commits an offense if the |
|
person: |
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(1) knowingly traffics a child, regardless of whether |
|
the actor knows that the person who is trafficked is a child at the |
|
time the actor commits the offense, with the intent or knowledge |
|
that the child will engage in conduct that is prohibited by Section |
|
43.02, 43.03, 43.04, 43.05, or 43.25; or |
|
(2) receives a benefit from participating in a venture |
|
that involves an activity described by Subdivision (1). |
|
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the first |
|
degree. |
|
(c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section |
|
also constitutes an offense under another section of this code |
|
other than Section 20A.04, the actor may be prosecuted under either |
|
section or under both sections. |
|
Sec. 20A.04. CONTINUOUS TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS. (a) A |
|
person commits an offense if, during a period that is 30 or more |
|
days in duration, the person engages two or more times in conduct |
|
that constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02 or 20A.03. |
|
(b) If a jury is the trier of fact, members of the jury are |
|
not required to agree unanimously on which specific conduct engaged |
|
in by the defendant constituted an offense under Section 20A.02 or |
|
20A.03 or on which exact date the defendant engaged in that conduct. |
|
The jury must agree unanimously that the defendant, during a period |
|
that is 30 or more days in duration, engaged in conduct that |
|
constituted an offense under Section 20A.02 or 20A.03. |
|
(c) If the victim of an offense under Subsection (a) is the |
|
same victim as a victim of an offense under Section 20A.02 or |
|
20A.03, a defendant may not be convicted of the offense under |
|
Section 20A.02 or 20A.03 in the same criminal action as the offense |
|
under Subsection (a), unless the offense under Section 20A.02 or |
|
20A.03: |
|
(1) is charged in the alternative; |
|
(2) occurred outside the period in which the offense |
|
alleged under Subsection (a) was committed; or |
|
(3) is considered by the trier of fact to be a lesser |
|
included offense of the offense alleged under Subsection (a). |
|
(d) A defendant may not be charged with more than one count |
|
under Subsection (a) if all of the conduct that constitutes an |
|
offense under Section 20A.02 or 20A.03 is alleged to have been |
|
committed against the same victim. |
|
(e) An offense under this section is a felony of the first |
|
degree, punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of |
|
Criminal Justice for life or for any term of not more than 99 years |
|
or less than 25 years. |
|
SECTION 1.04. Section 3.03(b), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(b) If the accused is found guilty of more than one offense |
|
arising out of the same criminal episode, the sentences may run |
|
concurrently or consecutively if each sentence is for a conviction |
|
of: |
|
(1) an offense: |
|
(A) under Section 49.07 or 49.08, regardless of |
|
whether the accused is convicted of violations of the same section |
|
more than once or is convicted of violations of both sections; or |
|
(B) for which a plea agreement was reached in a |
|
case in which the accused was charged with more than one offense |
|
listed in Paragraph (A), regardless of whether the accused is |
|
charged with violations of the same section more than once or is |
|
charged with violations of both sections; |
|
(2) an offense: |
|
(A) under Section 33.021 or an offense under |
|
Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, 22.021, 25.02, or 43.25 committed |
|
against a victim younger than 17 years of age at the time of the |
|
commission of the offense regardless of whether the accused is |
|
convicted of violations of the same section more than once or is |
|
convicted of violations of more than one section; or |
|
(B) for which a plea agreement was reached in a |
|
case in which the accused was charged with more than one offense |
|
listed in Paragraph (A) committed against a victim younger than 17 |
|
years of age at the time of the commission of the offense regardless |
|
of whether the accused is charged with violations of the same |
|
section more than once or is charged with violations of more than |
|
one section; |
|
(3) an offense: |
|
(A) under Section 21.15 or 43.26, regardless of |
|
whether the accused is convicted of violations of the same section |
|
more than once or is convicted of violations of both sections; or |
|
(B) for which a plea agreement was reached in a |
|
case in which the accused was charged with more than one offense |
|
listed in Paragraph (A), regardless of whether the accused is |
|
charged with violations of the same section more than once or is |
|
charged with violations of both sections; [or] |
|
(4) an offense for which the judgment in the case |
|
contains an affirmative finding under Article 42.0197, Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure; or |
|
(5) an offense: |
|
(A) under Section 20A.02, 20A.03, or 20A.04, |
|
regardless of whether the accused is convicted of violations of the |
|
same section more than once or is convicted of violations of two or |
|
more sections; or |
|
(B) for which a plea agreement was reached in a |
|
case in which the accused was charged with more than one offense |
|
listed in Paragraph (A), regardless of whether the accused is |
|
charged with violations of the same section more than once or is |
|
charged with violations of two or more sections. |
|
SECTION 1.05. Section 16.0045(a), Civil Practice and |
|
Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person must bring suit for personal injury not later |
|
than five years after the day the cause of action accrues if the |
|
injury arises as a result of conduct that violates: |
|
(1) Section 22.011, Penal Code (sexual assault); |
|
(2) Section 22.021, Penal Code (aggravated sexual |
|
assault); [or] |
|
(3) Section 21.02, Penal Code (continuous sexual abuse |
|
of young child or children); |
|
(4) Section 20A.02, Penal Code (trafficking of |
|
persons); |
|
(5) Section 20A.03, Penal Code (trafficking of child |
|
in furtherance of sexual conduct or performance); or |
|
(6) Section 20A.04, Penal Code (continuous |
|
trafficking of persons). |
|
SECTION 1.06. Article 62.001(5), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(5) "Reportable conviction or adjudication" means a |
|
conviction or adjudication, including an adjudication of |
|
delinquent conduct or a deferred adjudication, that, regardless of |
|
the pendency of an appeal, is a conviction for or an adjudication |
|
for or based on: |
|
(A) a violation of Section 21.02 (Continuous |
|
sexual abuse of young child or children), 21.11 (Indecency with a |
|
child), 22.011 (Sexual assault), 22.021 (Aggravated sexual |
|
assault), or 25.02 (Prohibited sexual conduct), Penal Code; |
|
(B) a violation of Section 43.05 (Compelling |
|
prostitution), 43.25 (Sexual performance by a child), or 43.26 |
|
(Possession or promotion of child pornography), Penal Code; |
|
(C) a violation of Section 20.04(a)(4) |
|
(Aggravated kidnapping), Penal Code, if the actor committed the |
|
offense or engaged in the conduct with intent to violate or abuse |
|
the victim sexually; |
|
(D) a violation of Section 30.02 (Burglary), |
|
Penal Code, if the offense or conduct is punishable under |
|
Subsection (d) of that section and the actor committed the offense |
|
or engaged in the conduct with intent to commit a felony listed in |
|
Paragraph (A) or (C); |
|
(E) a violation of Section 20.02 (Unlawful |
|
restraint), 20.03 (Kidnapping), or 20.04 (Aggravated kidnapping), |
|
Penal Code, if, as applicable: |
|
(i) the judgment in the case contains an |
|
affirmative finding under Article 42.015; or |
|
(ii) the order in the hearing or the papers |
|
in the case contain an affirmative finding that the victim or |
|
intended victim was younger than 17 years of age; |
|
(F) the second violation of Section 21.08 |
|
(Indecent exposure), Penal Code, but not if the second violation |
|
results in a deferred adjudication; |
|
(G) an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation, as |
|
defined by Chapter 15, Penal Code, to commit an offense or engage in |
|
conduct listed in Paragraph (A), (B), (C), (D), [or] (E), (K), or |
|
(L); |
|
(H) a violation of the laws of another state, |
|
federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform Code of |
|
Military Justice for or based on the violation of an offense |
|
containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements |
|
of an offense listed under Paragraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (G), |
|
or (J), but not if the violation results in a deferred adjudication; |
|
(I) the second violation of the laws of another |
|
state, federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform |
|
Code of Military Justice for or based on the violation of an offense |
|
containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements |
|
of the offense of indecent exposure, but not if the second violation |
|
results in a deferred adjudication; [or] |
|
(J) a violation of Section 33.021 (Online |
|
solicitation of a minor), Penal Code; |
|
(K) a violation of Section 20A.03 (Trafficking of |
|
child in furtherance of sexual conduct or performance), Penal Code; |
|
or |
|
(L) a violation of Section 20A.02 (Trafficking of |
|
persons) or 20A.04 (Continuous trafficking of persons), Penal Code, |
|
if the actor committed the offense with the intent or knowledge that |
|
the victim would engage in conduct that constitutes an offense |
|
under or is prohibited by Section 43.02, 43.03, 43.04, 43.05, or |
|
43.25, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 1.07. Section 508.145(d), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) An inmate serving a sentence for an offense described by |
|
Section 3g(a)(1)(A), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), or (K), |
|
Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or for an offense for |
|
which the judgment contains an affirmative finding under Section |
|
3g(a)(2) of that article, or for an offense under Section 20A.04, |
|
Penal Code, is not eligible for release on parole until the inmate's |
|
actual calendar time served, without consideration of good conduct |
|
time, equals one-half of the sentence or 30 calendar years, |
|
whichever is less, but in no event is the inmate eligible for |
|
release on parole in less than two calendar years. |
|
SECTION 1.08. Section 508.149(a), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) An inmate may not be released to mandatory supervision |
|
if the inmate is serving a sentence for or has been previously |
|
convicted of: |
|
(1) an offense for which the judgment contains an |
|
affirmative finding under Section 3g(a)(2), Article 42.12, Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure; |
|
(2) a first degree felony or a second degree felony |
|
under Section 19.02, Penal Code; |
|
(3) a capital felony under Section 19.03, Penal Code; |
|
(4) a first degree felony or a second degree felony |
|
under Section 20.04, Penal Code; |
|
(5) an offense under Section 21.11, Penal Code; |
|
(6) a felony under Section 22.011, Penal Code; |
|
(7) a first degree felony or a second degree felony |
|
under Section 22.02, Penal Code; |
|
(8) a first degree felony under Section 22.021, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(9) a first degree felony under Section 22.04, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(10) a first degree felony under Section 28.02, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(11) a second degree felony under Section 29.02, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(12) a first degree felony under Section 29.03, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(13) a first degree felony under Section 30.02, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(14) a felony for which the punishment is increased |
|
under Section 481.134 or Section 481.140, Health and Safety Code; |
|
(15) an offense under Section 43.25, Penal Code; |
|
(16) an offense under Section 21.02, Penal Code; [or] |
|
(17) a first degree felony under Section 15.03, Penal |
|
Code; or |
|
(18) an offense under Section 20A.04, Penal Code. |
|
ARTICLE 2. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS |
|
SECTION 2.01. Section 33.013(b), Civil Practice and |
|
Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), each liable defendant |
|
is, in addition to his liability under Subsection (a), jointly and |
|
severally liable for the damages recoverable by the claimant under |
|
Section 33.012 with respect to a cause of action if: |
|
(1) the percentage of responsibility attributed to the |
|
defendant with respect to a cause of action is greater than 50 |
|
percent; or |
|
(2) the defendant, with the specific intent to do harm |
|
to others, acted in concert with another person to engage in the |
|
conduct described in the following provisions of the Penal Code and |
|
in so doing proximately caused the damages legally recoverable by |
|
the claimant: |
|
(A) Section 19.02 (murder); |
|
(B) Section 19.03 (capital murder); |
|
(C) Section 20.04 (aggravated kidnapping); |
|
(D) Section 22.02 (aggravated assault); |
|
(E) Section 22.011 (sexual assault); |
|
(F) Section 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault); |
|
(G) Section 22.04 (injury to a child, elderly |
|
individual, or disabled individual); |
|
(H) Section 32.21 (forgery); |
|
(I) Section 32.43 (commercial bribery); |
|
(J) Section 32.45 (misapplication of fiduciary |
|
property or property of financial institution); |
|
(K) Section 32.46 (securing execution of |
|
document by deception); |
|
(L) Section 32.47 (fraudulent destruction, |
|
removal, or concealment of writing); |
|
(M) conduct described in Chapter 31 the |
|
punishment level for which is a felony of the third degree or |
|
higher; [or] |
|
(N) Section 21.02 (continuous sexual abuse of |
|
young child or children); |
|
(O) Section 20A.03 (trafficking of child in |
|
furtherance of sexual conduct or performance); or |
|
(P) Section 20A.04 (continuous trafficking of |
|
persons). |
|
SECTION 2.02. Section 125.0015(a), Civil Practice and |
|
Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person who maintains a place to which persons |
|
habitually go for the following purposes and who knowingly |
|
tolerates the activity and furthermore fails to make reasonable |
|
attempts to abate the activity maintains a common nuisance: |
|
(1) discharge of a firearm in a public place as |
|
prohibited by the Penal Code; |
|
(2) reckless discharge of a firearm as prohibited by |
|
the Penal Code; |
|
(3) engaging in organized criminal activity as a |
|
member of a combination as prohibited by the Penal Code; |
|
(4) delivery, possession, manufacture, or use of a |
|
controlled substance in violation of Chapter 481, Health and Safety |
|
Code; |
|
(5) gambling, gambling promotion, or communicating |
|
gambling information as prohibited by the Penal Code; |
|
(6) prostitution, promotion of prostitution, or |
|
aggravated promotion of prostitution as prohibited by the Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(7) compelling prostitution as prohibited by the Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(8) commercial manufacture, commercial distribution, |
|
or commercial exhibition of obscene material as prohibited by the |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(9) aggravated assault as described by Section 22.02, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(10) sexual assault as described by Section 22.011, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(11) aggravated sexual assault as described by Section |
|
22.021, Penal Code; |
|
(12) robbery as described by Section 29.02, Penal |
|
Code; |
|
(13) aggravated robbery as described by Section 29.03, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(14) unlawfully carrying a weapon as described by |
|
Section 46.02, Penal Code; |
|
(15) murder as described by Section 19.02, Penal Code; |
|
(16) capital murder as described by Section 19.03, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(17) continuous sexual abuse of young child or |
|
children as described by Section 21.02, Penal Code; [or] |
|
(18) massage therapy or other massage services in |
|
violation of Chapter 455, Occupations Code; or |
|
(19) continuous trafficking of persons as described by |
|
Section 20A.04, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 2.03. The heading to Chapter 7A, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 7A. PROTECTIVE ORDER FOR CERTAIN VICTIMS [VICTIM] OF |
|
TRAFFICKING OR SEXUAL ASSAULT |
|
SECTION 2.04. Article 7A.01(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person who is the victim of an offense under Section |
|
20A.03, 20A.04, 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, or 22.021, Penal Code, a |
|
parent or guardian acting on behalf of a person younger than 17 |
|
years of age who is the victim of such an offense, or a prosecuting |
|
attorney acting on behalf of the person may file an application for |
|
a protective order under this chapter without regard to the |
|
relationship between the applicant and the alleged offender. |
|
SECTION 2.05. Article 12.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 12.01. FELONIES. Except as provided in Article 12.03, |
|
felony indictments may be presented within these limits, and not |
|
afterward: |
|
(1) no limitation: |
|
(A) murder and manslaughter; |
|
(B) sexual assault under Section 22.011(a)(2), |
|
Penal Code, or aggravated sexual assault under Section |
|
22.021(a)(1)(B), Penal Code; |
|
(C) sexual assault, if during the investigation |
|
of the offense biological matter is collected and subjected to |
|
forensic DNA testing and the testing results show that the matter |
|
does not match the victim or any other person whose identity is |
|
readily ascertained; |
|
(D) continuous sexual abuse of young child or |
|
children under Section 21.02, Penal Code; |
|
(E) indecency with a child under Section 21.11, |
|
Penal Code; [or] |
|
(F) an offense involving leaving the scene of an |
|
accident under Section 550.021, Transportation Code, if the |
|
accident resulted in the death of a person; or |
|
(G) continuous trafficking of persons under |
|
Section 20A.04, Penal Code; |
|
(2) ten years from the date of the commission of the |
|
offense: |
|
(A) theft of any estate, real, personal or mixed, |
|
by an executor, administrator, guardian or trustee, with intent to |
|
defraud any creditor, heir, legatee, ward, distributee, |
|
beneficiary or settlor of a trust interested in such estate; |
|
(B) theft by a public servant of government |
|
property over which he exercises control in his official capacity; |
|
(C) forgery or the uttering, using or passing of |
|
forged instruments; |
|
(D) injury to an elderly or disabled individual |
|
punishable as a felony of the first degree under Section 22.04, |
|
Penal Code; |
|
(E) sexual assault, except as provided by |
|
Subdivision (1); or |
|
(F) arson; |
|
(3) seven years from the date of the commission of the |
|
offense: |
|
(A) misapplication of fiduciary property or |
|
property of a financial institution; |
|
(B) securing execution of document by deception; |
|
(C) a felony violation under Chapter 162, Tax |
|
Code; |
|
(D) false statement to obtain property or credit |
|
under Section 32.32, Penal Code; |
|
(E) money laundering; |
|
(F) credit card or debit card abuse under Section |
|
32.31, Penal Code; or |
|
(G) fraudulent use or possession of identifying |
|
information under Section 32.51, Penal Code; |
|
(4) five years from the date of the commission of the |
|
offense: |
|
(A) theft or robbery; |
|
(B) except as provided by Subdivision (5), |
|
kidnapping or burglary; |
|
(C) injury to an elderly or disabled individual |
|
that is not punishable as a felony of the first degree under Section |
|
22.04, Penal Code; |
|
(D) abandoning or endangering a child; or |
|
(E) insurance fraud; |
|
(5) if the investigation of the offense shows that the |
|
victim is younger than 17 years of age at the time the offense is |
|
committed, 20 years from the 18th birthday of the victim of one of |
|
the following offenses: |
|
(A) sexual performance by a child under Section |
|
43.25, Penal Code; |
|
(B) aggravated kidnapping under Section |
|
20.04(a)(4), Penal Code, if the defendant committed the offense |
|
with the intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually; [or] |
|
(C) burglary under Section 30.02, Penal Code, if |
|
the offense is punishable under Subsection (d) of that section and |
|
the defendant committed the offense with the intent to commit an |
|
offense described by Subdivision (1)(B) or (D) of this article or |
|
Paragraph (B) of this subdivision; or |
|
(D) trafficking of child in furtherance of sexual |
|
conduct or performance under Section 20A.03, Penal Code; |
|
(6) ten years from the 18th birthday of the victim of |
|
the offense: injury to a child under Section 22.04, Penal Code; or |
|
(7) three years from the date of the commission of the |
|
offense: all other felonies. |
|
SECTION 2.06. Article 17.03(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Only the court before whom the case is pending may |
|
release on personal bond a defendant who: |
|
(1) is charged with an offense under the following |
|
sections of the Penal Code: |
|
(A) Section 19.03 (Capital Murder); |
|
(B) Section 20.04 (Aggravated Kidnapping); |
|
(C) Section 22.021 (Aggravated Sexual Assault); |
|
(D) Section 22.03 (Deadly Assault on Law |
|
Enforcement or Corrections Officer, Member or Employee of Board of |
|
Pardons and Paroles, or Court Participant); |
|
(E) Section 22.04 (Injury to a Child, Elderly |
|
Individual, or Disabled Individual); |
|
(F) Section 29.03 (Aggravated Robbery); |
|
(G) Section 30.02 (Burglary); |
|
(H) Section 71.02 (Engaging in Organized |
|
Criminal Activity); [or] |
|
(I) Section 21.02 (Continuous Sexual Abuse of |
|
Young Child or Children); |
|
(J) Section 20A.03 (Trafficking of Child in |
|
Furtherance of Sexual Conduct or Performance); or |
|
(K) Section 20A.04 (Continuous Trafficking of |
|
Persons); |
|
(2) is charged with a felony under Chapter 481, Health |
|
and Safety Code, or Section 485.033, Health and Safety Code, |
|
punishable by imprisonment for a minimum term or by a maximum fine |
|
that is more than a minimum term or maximum fine for a first degree |
|
felony; or |
|
(3) does not submit to testing for the presence of a |
|
controlled substance in the defendant's body as requested by the |
|
court or magistrate under Subsection (c) of this article or submits |
|
to testing and the test shows evidence of the presence of a |
|
controlled substance in the defendant's body. |
|
SECTION 2.07. Article 17.032(a), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this article, "violent offense" means an offense |
|
under the following sections of the Penal Code: |
|
(1) Section 19.02 (murder); |
|
(2) Section 19.03 (capital murder); |
|
(3) Section 20.03 (kidnapping); |
|
(4) Section 20.04 (aggravated kidnapping); |
|
(5) Section 21.11 (indecency with a child); |
|
(6) Section 22.01(a)(1) (assault); |
|
(7) Section 22.011 (sexual assault); |
|
(8) Section 22.02 (aggravated assault); |
|
(9) Section 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault); |
|
(10) Section 22.04 (injury to a child, elderly |
|
individual, or disabled individual); |
|
(11) Section 29.03 (aggravated robbery); [or] |
|
(12) Section 21.02 (continuous sexual abuse of young |
|
child or children); or |
|
(13) Section 20A.04 (continuous trafficking of |
|
persons). |
|
SECTION 2.08. Article 17.091, Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.091. NOTICE OF CERTAIN BAIL REDUCTIONS REQUIRED. |
|
Before a judge or magistrate reduces the amount of bail set for a |
|
defendant charged with an offense listed in Section 3g, Article |
|
42.12, [or] an offense described by Article 62.001(5), or an |
|
offense under Section 20A.04, Penal Code, the judge or magistrate |
|
shall provide: |
|
(1) to the attorney representing the state, reasonable |
|
notice of the proposed bail reduction; and |
|
(2) on request of the attorney representing the state |
|
or the defendant or the defendant's counsel, an opportunity for a |
|
hearing concerning the proposed bail reduction. |
|
SECTION 2.09. Article 18.021(a), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A search warrant may be issued to search for and |
|
photograph a child who is alleged to be the victim of the offenses |
|
of injury to a child as prohibited by Section 22.04, Penal Code; |
|
sexual assault of a child as prohibited by Section 22.011(a), Penal |
|
Code; aggravated sexual assault of a child as prohibited by Section |
|
22.021, Penal Code; [or] continuous sexual abuse of young child or |
|
children as prohibited by Section 21.02, Penal Code; or trafficking |
|
of child in furtherance of sexual conduct or performance as |
|
prohibited by Section 20A.03, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 2.10. Section 4(a), Article 37.07, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In the penalty phase of the trial of a felony case in |
|
which the punishment is to be assessed by the jury rather than the |
|
court, if the offense of which the jury has found the defendant |
|
guilty is an offense under Section 20A.04, Penal Code, or an offense |
|
listed in Section 3g(a)(1), Article 42.12, of this code or if the |
|
judgment contains an affirmative finding under Section 3g(a)(2), |
|
Article 42.12, of this code, unless the defendant has been |
|
convicted of an offense under Section 21.02, Penal Code, an offense |
|
under Section 22.021, Penal Code, that is punishable under |
|
Subsection (f) of that section, or a capital felony, the court shall |
|
charge the jury in writing as follows: |
|
"Under the law applicable in this case, the defendant, if |
|
sentenced to a term of imprisonment, may earn time off the period of |
|
incarceration imposed through the award of good conduct |
|
time. Prison authorities may award good conduct time to a prisoner |
|
who exhibits good behavior, diligence in carrying out prison work |
|
assignments, and attempts at rehabilitation. If a prisoner engages |
|
in misconduct, prison authorities may also take away all or part of |
|
any good conduct time earned by the prisoner. |
|
"It is also possible that the length of time for which the |
|
defendant will be imprisoned might be reduced by the award of |
|
parole. |
|
"Under the law applicable in this case, if the defendant is |
|
sentenced to a term of imprisonment, he will not become eligible for |
|
parole until the actual time served equals one-half of the sentence |
|
imposed or 30 years, whichever is less, without consideration of |
|
any good conduct time he may earn. If the defendant is sentenced to |
|
a term of less than four years, he must serve at least two years |
|
before he is eligible for parole. Eligibility for parole does not |
|
guarantee that parole will be granted. |
|
"It cannot accurately be predicted how the parole law and |
|
good conduct time might be applied to this defendant if he is |
|
sentenced to a term of imprisonment, because the application of |
|
these laws will depend on decisions made by prison and parole |
|
authorities. |
|
"You may consider the existence of the parole law and good |
|
conduct time. However, you are not to consider the extent to which |
|
good conduct time may be awarded to or forfeited by this particular |
|
defendant. You are not to consider the manner in which the parole |
|
law may be applied to this particular defendant." |
|
SECTION 2.11. Section 1, Article 38.071, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1. This article applies only to a hearing or proceeding |
|
in which the court determines that a child younger than 13 years of |
|
age would be unavailable to testify in the presence of the defendant |
|
about an offense defined by any of the following sections of the |
|
Penal Code: |
|
(1) Section 19.02 (Murder); |
|
(2) Section 19.03 (Capital Murder); |
|
(3) Section 19.04 (Manslaughter); |
|
(4) Section 20.04 (Aggravated Kidnapping); |
|
(5) Section 21.11 (Indecency with a Child); |
|
(6) Section 22.011 (Sexual Assault); |
|
(7) Section 22.02 (Aggravated Assault); |
|
(8) Section 22.021 (Aggravated Sexual Assault); |
|
(9) Section 22.04(e) (Injury to a Child, Elderly |
|
Individual, or Disabled Individual); |
|
(10) Section 22.04(f) (Injury to a Child, Elderly |
|
Individual, or Disabled Individual), if the conduct is committed |
|
intentionally or knowingly; |
|
(11) Section 25.02 (Prohibited Sexual Conduct); |
|
(12) Section 29.03 (Aggravated Robbery); |
|
(13) Section 43.25 (Sexual Performance by a Child); |
|
[or] |
|
(14) Section 21.02 (Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young |
|
Child or Children); |
|
(15) Section 20A.03 (Trafficking of Child in |
|
Furtherance of Sexual Conduct or Performance); or |
|
(16) Section 20A.04 (Continuous Trafficking of |
|
Persons). |
|
SECTION 2.12. Section 5(d), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) In all other cases the judge may grant deferred |
|
adjudication unless: |
|
(1) the defendant is charged with an offense: |
|
(A) under Sections 49.04-49.08, Penal Code; or |
|
(B) for which punishment may be increased under |
|
Section 481.134(c), (d), (e), or (f), Health and Safety Code, if it |
|
is shown that the defendant has been previously convicted of an |
|
offense for which punishment was increased under any one of those |
|
subsections; |
|
(2) the defendant: |
|
(A) is charged with an offense under Section |
|
21.11, 22.011, or 22.021, Penal Code, regardless of the age of the |
|
victim, or a felony described by Section 13B(b) of this article; and |
|
(B) has previously been placed on community |
|
supervision for any offense under Paragraph (A) of this |
|
subdivision; or |
|
(3) the defendant is charged with an offense under: |
|
(A) Section 20A.04 or 21.02, Penal Code; or |
|
(B) Section 22.021, Penal Code, that is |
|
punishable under Subsection (f) of that section or under Section |
|
12.42(c)(3), Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 2.13. Article 62.101(a), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) and Subchapter I, |
|
the duty to register for a person ends when the person dies if the |
|
person has a reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an |
|
adjudication of delinquent conduct, for: |
|
(1) a sexually violent offense; |
|
(2) an offense under Section 25.02, 43.05(a)(2), or |
|
43.26, Penal Code; |
|
(3) an offense under Section 21.11(a)(2), Penal Code, |
|
if before or after the person is convicted or adjudicated for the |
|
offense under Section 21.11(a)(2), Penal Code, the person receives |
|
or has received another reportable conviction or adjudication, |
|
other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for an offense or |
|
conduct that requires registration under this chapter; |
|
(4) an offense under Section 20.02, 20.03, or 20.04, |
|
Penal Code, if: |
|
(A) the judgment in the case contains an |
|
affirmative finding under Article 42.015 or, for a deferred |
|
adjudication, the papers in the case contain an affirmative finding |
|
that the victim or intended victim was younger than 17 years of age; |
|
and |
|
(B) before or after the person is convicted or |
|
adjudicated for the offense under Section 20.02, 20.03, or 20.04, |
|
Penal Code, the person receives or has received another reportable |
|
conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of |
|
delinquent conduct, for an offense or conduct that requires |
|
registration under this chapter; [or] |
|
(5) an offense under Section 43.23, Penal Code, that |
|
is punishable under Subsection (h) of that section; |
|
(6) an offense under Section 20A.03, Penal Code; or |
|
(7) an offense under Section 20A.02 or 20A.04, Penal |
|
Code, if the actor committed the offense with the intent or |
|
knowledge that the victim would engage in conduct that constitutes |
|
an offense under or is prohibited by Section 43.02, 43.03, 43.04, |
|
43.05, or 43.25, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 2.14. Section 33.009, Family Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 33.009. OTHER REPORTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR. A |
|
court or the guardian ad litem or attorney ad litem for the minor |
|
shall report conduct reasonably believed to violate Section 20A.03, |
|
21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code, based on information |
|
obtained during a confidential court proceeding held under this |
|
chapter to: |
|
(1) any local or state law enforcement agency; |
|
(2) the Department of Family and Protective Services, |
|
if the alleged conduct involves a person responsible for the care, |
|
custody, or welfare of the child; |
|
(3) the state agency that operates, licenses, |
|
certifies, or registers the facility in which the alleged conduct |
|
occurred, if the alleged conduct occurred in a facility operated, |
|
licensed, certified, or registered by a state agency; or |
|
(4) an appropriate agency designated by the court. |
|
SECTION 2.15. Section 33.010, Family Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 33.010. CONFIDENTIALITY. Notwithstanding any other |
|
law, information obtained by the Department of Family and |
|
Protective Services or another entity under Section 33.008 or |
|
33.009 is confidential except to the extent necessary to prove a |
|
violation of Section 20A.03, 21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal |
|
Code. |
|
SECTION 2.16. Section 261.001(1), Family Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(1) "Abuse" includes the following acts or omissions |
|
by a person: |
|
(A) mental or emotional injury to a child that |
|
results in an observable and material impairment in the child's |
|
growth, development, or psychological functioning; |
|
(B) causing or permitting the child to be in a |
|
situation in which the child sustains a mental or emotional injury |
|
that results in an observable and material impairment in the |
|
child's growth, development, or psychological functioning; |
|
(C) physical injury that results in substantial |
|
harm to the child, or the genuine threat of substantial harm from |
|
physical injury to the child, including an injury that is at |
|
variance with the history or explanation given and excluding an |
|
accident or reasonable discipline by a parent, guardian, or |
|
managing or possessory conservator that does not expose the child |
|
to a substantial risk of harm; |
|
(D) failure to make a reasonable effort to |
|
prevent an action by another person that results in physical injury |
|
that results in substantial harm to the child; |
|
(E) sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, |
|
emotional, or physical welfare, including conduct that constitutes |
|
the offense of continuous sexual abuse of young child or children |
|
under Section 21.02, Penal Code, indecency with a child under |
|
Section 21.11, Penal Code, sexual assault under Section 22.011, |
|
Penal Code, [or] aggravated sexual assault under Section 22.021, |
|
Penal Code, or trafficking of child in furtherance of sexual |
|
conduct or performance under Section 20A.03, Penal Code; |
|
(F) failure to make a reasonable effort to |
|
prevent sexual conduct harmful to a child; |
|
(G) compelling or encouraging the child to engage |
|
in sexual conduct as defined by Section 43.01, Penal Code; |
|
(H) causing, permitting, encouraging, engaging |
|
in, or allowing the photographing, filming, or depicting of the |
|
child if the person knew or should have known that the resulting |
|
photograph, film, or depiction of the child is obscene as defined by |
|
Section 43.21, Penal Code, or pornographic; |
|
(I) the current use by a person of a controlled |
|
substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, in a |
|
manner or to the extent that the use results in physical, mental, or |
|
emotional injury to a child; |
|
(J) causing, expressly permitting, or |
|
encouraging a child to use a controlled substance as defined by |
|
Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code; or |
|
(K) causing, permitting, encouraging, engaging |
|
in, or allowing a sexual performance by a child as defined by |
|
Section 43.25, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 2.17. Section 23.101(a), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The trial courts of this state shall regularly and |
|
frequently set hearings and trials of pending matters, giving |
|
preference to hearings and trials of the following: |
|
(1) temporary injunctions; |
|
(2) criminal actions, with the following actions given |
|
preference over other criminal actions: |
|
(A) criminal actions against defendants who are |
|
detained in jail pending trial; |
|
(B) criminal actions involving a charge that a |
|
person committed an act of family violence, as defined by Section |
|
71.004, Family Code; |
|
(C) an offense under: |
|
(i) Section 21.02 or 21.11, Penal Code; |
|
(ii) Chapter 22, Penal Code, if the victim |
|
of the alleged offense is younger than 17 years of age; |
|
(iii) Section 25.02, Penal Code, if the |
|
victim of the alleged offense is younger than 17 years of age; |
|
(iv) Section 25.06, Penal Code; [or] |
|
(v) Section 43.25, Penal Code; or |
|
(vi) Section 20A.03 or 20A.04, Penal Code; |
|
and |
|
(D) an offense described by Article 62.001(6)(C) |
|
or (D), Code of Criminal Procedure; |
|
(3) election contests and suits under the Election |
|
Code; |
|
(4) orders for the protection of the family under |
|
Subtitle B, Title 4, Family Code; |
|
(5) appeals of final rulings and decisions of the |
|
division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of |
|
Insurance regarding workers' compensation claims and claims under |
|
the Federal Employers' Liability Act and the Jones Act; |
|
(6) appeals of final orders of the commissioner of the |
|
General Land Office under Section 51.3021, Natural Resources Code; |
|
(7) actions in which the claimant has been diagnosed |
|
with malignant mesothelioma, other malignant asbestos-related |
|
cancer, malignant silica-related cancer, or acute silicosis; and |
|
(8) appeals brought under Section 42.01 or 42.015, Tax |
|
Code, of orders of appraisal review boards of appraisal districts |
|
established for counties with a population of less than 175,000. |
|
SECTION 2.18. Section 411.1471(a), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) This section applies to a defendant who is: |
|
(1) indicted or waives indictment for a felony |
|
prohibited or punishable under any of the following Penal Code |
|
sections: |
|
(A) Section 20.04(a)(4); |
|
(B) Section 21.11; |
|
(C) Section 22.011; |
|
(D) Section 22.021; |
|
(E) Section 25.02; |
|
(F) Section 30.02(d); |
|
(G) Section 43.05; |
|
(H) Section 43.25; |
|
(I) Section 43.26; [or] |
|
(J) Section 21.02; |
|
(K) Section 20A.03; or |
|
(L) Section 20A.04; |
|
(2) arrested for a felony described by Subdivision (1) |
|
after having been previously convicted of or placed on deferred |
|
adjudication for an offense described by Subdivision (1) or an |
|
offense punishable under Section 30.02(c)(2), Penal Code; or |
|
(3) convicted of an offense under Section 21.07 or |
|
21.08, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 2.19. Section 499.027(b), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) An inmate is not eligible under this subchapter to be |
|
considered for release to intensive supervision parole if: |
|
(1) the inmate is awaiting transfer to the |
|
institutional division, or serving a sentence, for an offense for |
|
which the judgment contains an affirmative finding under Section |
|
3g(a)(2), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure; |
|
(2) the inmate is awaiting transfer to the |
|
institutional division, or serving a sentence, for an offense |
|
listed in one of the following sections of the Penal Code: |
|
(A) Section 19.02 (murder); |
|
(B) Section 19.03 (capital murder); |
|
(C) Section 19.04 (manslaughter); |
|
(D) Section 20.03 (kidnapping); |
|
(E) Section 20.04 (aggravated kidnapping); |
|
(F) Section 21.11 (indecency with a child); |
|
(G) Section 22.011 (sexual assault); |
|
(H) Section 22.02 (aggravated assault); |
|
(I) Section 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault); |
|
(J) Section 22.04 (injury to a child or an |
|
elderly individual); |
|
(K) Section 25.02 (prohibited sexual conduct); |
|
(L) Section 25.08 (sale or purchase of a child); |
|
(M) Section 28.02 (arson); |
|
(N) Section 29.02 (robbery); |
|
(O) Section 29.03 (aggravated robbery); |
|
(P) Section 30.02 (burglary), if the offense is |
|
punished as a first-degree felony under that section; |
|
(Q) Section 43.04 (aggravated promotion of |
|
prostitution); |
|
(R) Section 43.05 (compelling prostitution); |
|
(S) Section 43.24 (sale, distribution, or |
|
display of harmful material to minor); |
|
(T) Section 43.25 (sexual performance by a |
|
child); |
|
(U) Section 46.10 (deadly weapon in penal |
|
institution); |
|
(V) Section 15.01 (criminal attempt), if the |
|
offense attempted is listed in this subsection; |
|
(W) Section 15.02 (criminal conspiracy), if the |
|
offense that is the subject of the conspiracy is listed in this |
|
subsection; |
|
(X) Section 15.03 (criminal solicitation), if |
|
the offense solicited is listed in this subsection; [or] |
|
(Y) Section 21.02 (continuous sexual abuse of |
|
young child or children); |
|
(Z) Section 20A.03 (trafficking of child in |
|
furtherance of sexual conduct or performance); or |
|
(AA) Section 20A.04 (continuous trafficking of |
|
persons); or |
|
(3) the inmate is awaiting transfer to the |
|
institutional division, or serving a sentence, for an offense under |
|
Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, punishable by a minimum term of |
|
imprisonment or a maximum fine that is greater than the minimum term |
|
of imprisonment or the maximum fine for a first degree felony. |
|
SECTION 2.20. Section 508.046, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 508.046. EXTRAORDINARY VOTE REQUIRED. To release on |
|
parole an inmate who was convicted of an offense under Section |
|
20A.04, 21.02, 21.11(a)(1), or 22.021, Penal Code, or who is |
|
required under Section 508.145(c) to serve 35 calendar years before |
|
becoming eligible for release on parole, all members of the board |
|
must vote on the release on parole of the inmate, and at least |
|
two-thirds of the members must vote in favor of the release on |
|
parole. A member of the board may not vote on the release unless the |
|
member first receives a copy of a written report from the department |
|
on the probability that the inmate would commit an offense after |
|
being released on parole. |
|
SECTION 2.21. Section 508.151(a), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) For the purpose of diverting inmates to halfway houses |
|
under Section 508.118, a parole panel, after reviewing all |
|
available pertinent information, may designate a presumptive |
|
parole date for an inmate who: |
|
(1) has never been convicted of an offense listed |
|
under Section 3g(a)(1), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
or an offense under Section 20A.04 or 21.02, Penal Code; and |
|
(2) has never had a conviction with a judgment that |
|
contains an affirmative finding under Section 3g(a)(2), Article |
|
42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure. |
|
SECTION 2.22. Section 12.35(c), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(c) An individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony |
|
shall be punished for a third degree felony if it is shown on the |
|
trial of the offense that: |
|
(1) a deadly weapon as defined by Section 1.07 was used |
|
or exhibited during the commission of the offense or during |
|
immediate flight following the commission of the offense, and that |
|
the individual used or exhibited the deadly weapon or was a party to |
|
the offense and knew that a deadly weapon would be used or |
|
exhibited; or |
|
(2) the individual has previously been finally |
|
convicted of any felony: |
|
(A) under Section 20A.04 or 21.02 or listed in |
|
Section 3g(a)(1), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure; or |
|
(B) for which the judgment contains an |
|
affirmative finding under Section 3g(a)(2), Article 42.12, Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure. |
|
SECTION 2.23. Section 12.42(c)(2), Penal Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(2) Notwithstanding Subdivision (1), a defendant |
|
shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of |
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Criminal Justice for life if: |
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(A) the defendant is convicted of an offense: |
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(i) under Section 20A.04, 21.11(a)(1), |
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22.021, or 22.011, Penal Code; |
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(ii) under Section 20.04(a)(4), Penal Code, |
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if the defendant committed the offense with the intent to violate or |
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abuse the victim sexually; or |
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(iii) under Section 30.02, Penal Code, |
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punishable under Subsection (d) of that section, if the defendant |
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committed the offense with the intent to commit a felony described |
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by Subparagraph (i) or (ii) or a felony under Section 21.11, Penal |
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Code; and |
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(B) the defendant has been previously convicted |
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of an offense: |
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(i) under Section 43.25 or 43.26, Penal |
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Code, or an offense under Section 43.23, Penal Code, punishable |
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under Subsection (h) of that section; |
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(ii) under Section 20A.04, 21.02, 21.11, |
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22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code; |
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(iii) under Section 20.04(a)(4), Penal |
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Code, if the defendant committed the offense with the intent to |
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violate or abuse the victim sexually; |
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(iv) under Section 30.02, Penal Code, |
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punishable under Subsection (d) of that section, if the defendant |
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committed the offense with the intent to commit a felony described |
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by Subparagraph (ii) or (iii); or |
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(v) under the laws of another state |
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containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements |
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of an offense listed in Subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv). |
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ARTICLE 3. TRANSITION; EFFECTIVE DATE |
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SECTION 3.01. The change in law made by this Act applies |
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only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this |
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Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For |
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purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
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effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred |
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before that date. |
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SECTION 3.02. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |