84R2334 JSC-D
 
  By: Raymond H.B. No. 1159
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of certain disciplinary actions against a
  child; providing a criminal penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 22, Penal Code, is amended by adding
  Section 22.042 to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.042.  UNLAWFUL DISCIPLINE OF A CHILD. (a)  In this
  section:
               (1)  "Child" means a person younger than 18 years of
  age.
               (2)  "Stun gun" has the meaning assigned by Section
  38.14.
               (3)  "Taser" means a device that is intended, designed,
  made, or adapted to incapacitate a person by inflicting an
  electrical charge through the emission of a projectile or
  conductive stream.
               (4)  "Zip tie" means a plastic strip that can be
  threaded through its end and tightened.
         (b)  A person commits an offense if the person subdues a
  child for disciplinary purposes by using a stun gun, a taser,
  handcuffs, or zip ties on the child.
         (c)  An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
         (d)  The defenses to prosecution provided under Subchapter
  F, Chapter 9, are not available to a defendant under this section if
  the child was younger than 13 years of age at the time of the
  offense.
         (e)  If conduct constituting an offense under this section
  also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the
  actor may be prosecuted under either section or both sections.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.