All Roll Calls
Yes: 354 • No: 1
TexasHB 142289th Legislature Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Relating to the rights of victims of sexual assault and other sex offenses, the offense of continuous sexual abuse, and the prosecution, punishment, and collateral consequences of certain sex offenses; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties; changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for persons convicted of certain sex offenses.
Sponsored By: Joan Huffman (Republican), Lacey Hull
Signed by Governor
Crimes--Against Persons--SexualCriminal Procedure--Sentencing & PunishmentMinors--Crimes AgainstDNAEVIDENCEFORENSIC TESTINGSEXUAL ABUSESEXUAL ASSAULTPUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.
Abuse threats bring criminal charges
For offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, covered threats include threats to commit continuous sexual abuse. The offense applies when someone intentionally makes the threat to obtain intimate images, sexual conduct, money, or another benefit. It includes threats made through coercion or extortion.
Broader charges for soliciting minors
For offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, solicitation of a minor also covers continuous sexual abuse. It includes requesting, commanding, or trying to induce a minor—or someone believed to be a minor—to participate. The accused must intend for that crime to happen. Solicitation rises from a third-degree to a second-degree felony with a qualifying prior conviction, including continuous sexual abuse.
Higher penalties for specified voyeurism cases
For offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, voyeurism is generally a Class A misdemeanor. It is a state jail felony with a prior voyeurism conviction, a victim under 18, or an offense on college premises. It becomes a third-degree felony when the victim is under 18 and the accused has a qualifying prior conviction. That prior conviction must have been punishable under the victim-under-18 rule.
Longer minimum sentences for child assault
For offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, aggravated sexual assault carries a 25-year minimum when the victim is under 10. This replaces the previous threshold of under six. The separate 25-year minimum remains for victims under 14 when the offense meets Penal Code Section 22.021(a)(2)(A).
New felony targets repeated sexual abuse
For offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, Texas creates a first-degree felony for continuous sexual abuse. It covers at least two listed acts against at least two victims over 30 or more days. The accused must be at least 17 during each act. Covered acts include sexual assault, child sexual exploitation, and specified kidnapping, burglary, trafficking, and prostitution offenses. Jurors must unanimously find the required period and multiple victims, but need not agree on specific acts, dates, or victims. When all victims are under 17, a defense requires an age gap of no more than five years from the youngest victim. It also requires no duress, force, or threat, and no disqualifying conviction or sex-offender registration status. Limits on overlapping charges and convictions include exceptions for acts outside the charged period, lesser-included offenses, and alternative charges.
More DNA privacy for assault survivors
For evidence collected on or after December 1, 2025, limited consent restricts how Texas public safety officials use DNA results. The department must get additional written consent before sharing results with another entity or using them for another purpose. It must also tell survivors and other authorized requesters how to report the offense to law enforcement. Reporting is optional and allows DNA database comparisons and possible use in an investigation or trial. The department must adopt the required consent form by December 1, 2025; earlier evidence remains under prior law.
Separate campus voyeurism enhancement ends
For offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, a separate college-location penalty increase no longer applies to voyeurism. The underlying crime remains, including its own state jail felony classification for offenses on college premises. The separate location enhancement still applies to the listed offenses under Penal Code Sections 21.07, 21.08, and 21.15.
Prior abuse conviction blocks parole option
Beginning September 1, 2025, a prior continuous sexual abuse conviction blocks consideration for intensive supervision parole. This restriction applies to inmates with a prior conviction under Texas Penal Code Section 21.03. It does not decide eligibility for other forms of release.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Joan Huffman
Republican • Senate
Lacey Hull
House
Cosponsors
Lulu Flores
House
Josey Garcia
House
Mayes Middleton
Republican • Senate
Penny Morales Shaw
House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/25/2025
Record vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/25/2025
Record vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 5/15/2025
Record vote
Yes: 139 • No: 1
House vote • 5/14/2025
Record vote
Yes: 138 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Criminal Justice
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Criminal Jurisprudence
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/28/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/27/2025SenateSigned in the House
5/27/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/26/2025HouseSenate passage reported
5/26/2025HouseRecord vote
5/25/2025SenatePassed
5/25/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/25/2025SenateRecord vote
5/25/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
5/25/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/25/2025SenateRead 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
5/25/2025SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
5/25/2025SenatePlaced on intent calendar
5/25/2025SenateCo-sponsor authorized
5/25/2025SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
5/23/2025SenateReported favorably w/o amendments
5/23/2025SenateVote taken in committee
5/22/2025SenateConsidered in public hearing
5/22/2025SenateScheduled for public hearing on . . .
5/22/2025SenateReferred to Criminal Justice
5/16/2025SenateRead first time
5/16/2025SenateReceived from the House
5/15/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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