To help familiarize governmental bodies and members of the public with these changes, the Office of the Attorney General (the "OAG") is providing the following list of significant or broadly applicable amendments to Texas public information law. 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. Indecent Assault is now a Class A misdemeanor. 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. In the past, Texas law made no distinction between prostitution and solicitation of prostitution. Prostitutes and so-called Johns both faced a misdemeanor charge and were punished equally. Over 600 new laws signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott go into effect today in the state of Texas. This legislation puts more responsibility on officers in excessive force cases. A long and controversial legislative session resulted in a mixed bag of new criminal laws in Texas. Sexual assault is without consent if a coach or tutor causes an individual to submit or participate by using influence or power to exploit their dependency on the actor. To learn more about these amendments orrecent amendments to other relevant laws, please check the Texas Legislature OnlineWebpage. HB 1343 creates laws related to improper contact with a victim and to protective orders for victims of certain offense. This will explicitly exclude low-THC cannabis. The bill removes knuckles from the Prohibited Weapons list and removes clubs from the UCW list. A state jail felony is punishable by six months to two years in a state jail facility. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a maximum $2000 fine. This offense has been criticized both as overbroad and difficult to prosecute. The Javier Ambler Law bans law enforcement agencies from contracting with shows such as COPS and Live PD, the latter of which captured Amblers deadly encounter with Williamson deputies but never aired. Code 204.011, 548.601; Ch. Class B and certain State Jail Prostitution convictions will require mandatory community supervision unless a jury does not recommend it. Read more The new law requires officers to keep their body cameras activated during the entirety of an investigation, unless the camera has been deactivated in compliance with a police departments specific policy. If you picked up a pistol license application prior to September 1, 2022, please contact the Pistol License Bureau at (631) 852-2233 . Ron DeSantis will be courting donors more than a thousand miles away in Texas and California. However, the law also limits the state from seeking the death penalty for capital cases where that is the sole aggravating factor. Press Release. TCOLE requires officers to attend this course between a year before and a year after their appointment. The bill specifies that a drivers license would be automatically suspended for 90 days if convicted of: Under this statute, inmates sentenced for continuous trafficking of children are ineligible for parole unless both parties enter into an agreement at the time of trial. SB 194 creates a new offense called Indecent Assault. Senate Bill 19 prohibits any governmental entity from contracting with any business that discriminates against firearm and ammunition businesses or organizations. Updated: Feb. 28, 2023 at 6:28 AM PST. Transparency in Government | TCOLE Link Policy | Compact with Texas | TCOLE Accessibility Policy | TCOLE Privacy and Security Policy | Contact Us | Sitemap | Veterans Portal, Copyright 2023 Texas Commission on Law Enforcement | 6330 East Highway 290, STE 200 Austin, Texas 78723 | 512-936-7700, about March 1, 2023 Digital Form Requirements, about Instructor Development Courses - SURVEY, about UPDATED- Basic Telecommunicator Licensing Course, Timeline of Legislative and Procedural Changes, Assistant Chief Jason D. Hester, Assistant Presiding Officer, Background Confirmation and TCOLE Secure Share, Training Committees List and Draft Courses for Review, Texas Law Enforcement Trainers Consortium, Financial Reports and Contract/Purchase Information, UPDATED- Basic Telecommunicator Licensing Course. There is a change to the reportable conviction section, but is simply a conforming change due to the renumbering of the Prostitution penalty section. Learn more about pranking or swatting police. We use cookies to improve your experience on this site. was the list of offenses in Code of Criminal Procedure art. Senate Bill 550 removes the shoulder or belt holster requirements, allowing Texans to carry firearms in whatever kind of holster they choose. HB 667 amends a defense to prosecution for Sexual Assault and penalty scheme by making exceptions for cases of incest. The law freezes property tax revenues for cities with a population over 250,000 that defund the police. There is a good chance this legislation will likely be found unconstitutional on appeal. A long and controversial legislative session resulted in a mixed bag of new criminal laws in Texas. 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. TML Legislative Update Number 1 (PDF) TML Legislative Update Number 1. All section references are to the Agriculture Code. Physicians who do not provide care for a child, born alive, after an attempted abortion may be found guilty of this new 3rd-degree felony offense. That officer, Derek Chauvin, sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for murder. Ron DeSantis will be courting donors more than a thousand miles away in Texas and California. (download document) Effective Sept. 1, 2021 Alcohol-to-go is now law in Texas. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 32. https://forms.office.com/g/X4UKnT1hkj. The new fines are to be codified in Section 709, Transportation Code. Code. Judges, upon motion of the prosecutor, would be required to make an affirmative finding that the parties had entered into an agreement and enter the finding into the case judgement. Starting September 1, Texans over age 21 will be able to carry a handgun in public without license or training. House Bill 2048 adds to that list by requiring drivers to vacate the lane next to, or slow down 20 mph slower than the posted speed limit, when passing a vehicle operated by a toll project entity that has certain required visual signals. A minimum of 40 hours of training to include the current Legislative Update course #3187. HB 2789 creates a new offense called Unlawful Electronic Transmission of Sexually Explicit Visual Material. House Bill 1500 prevents any government entity from prohibiting the sale or transportation of firearms or ammunition during a declared disaster or emergency. This legislation, known as the Jessica Sosa Act, provides a defense to prosecution of certain drug offenses if the actor was the first to request emergency medical assistance in response to a possible overdose of another person, remained on the scene until medical assistance arrived, and cooperated with medics and law enforcement. The behavior targeted in this law would have been classified as a Class C Assault passage of this bill. This legislation requires automatic, mandatory blood draws for motorists who are arrested for an intoxicated offense after seriously injuring someone or causing a death. Instead of an automatic suspension, the bill specifies that a $100 fine be imposed instead for a misdemeanor conviction. The murder of a person between 10 years old and 15 years old is now added to the list of offenses that are considered Capital Murder in Texas. If you have not received confirmation of the class prior to the class start, please contact the division at (800) 423-8433 or ilepse@teex.tamu.edu to get the latest schedule. These new laws, including the Heartbeat Bill, constitutional carry legislation, and laws that protect law enforcement, were passed during the 87th Legislative Session. Updates to the Texas Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act HB 4390 updates Texas' breach notification requirements in TITEPA by further defining the timeline to disclose a breach of system security and requiring disclosure of certain information to the Texas attorney general for breaches affecting at least 250 Texas residents. The Instructor resource guide can be found under "Courses for Licensure." Law enforcement does not have the authority to decline a request. - Revises certain subsections of sections 552.117 and 552.1175 of the Government Code and 25.025 of the Tax Code. 2023-03-01. HB 2697 adds or effective consent to simple consent in Penal Code Section 32.51 (Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information). Check the TAB for more information, Education Services is updating the Instructor Proficiency courses and would love your feeback. Tex. Over 600 new laws signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott go into effect today in the state of Texas. This bill was passed in response to the growing number of elderly Texans who fall victims to scams, frauds and exploitation each year. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Your Child Support And The Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request an Attorney General Opinion. This means that Johns face harsher punishment that the person offering sexual services. Senate Bill 768 enhances criminal penalties for manufacturing and distributing fentanyl in Texas. 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. 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