Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4982

Filed

3/13/25

Out of House Committee

Voted on by House

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to hate crimes, including criminal and civil liability for those crimes and the hate crime prevention grant program; increasing a criminal penalty.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4982 would likely lead to significant changes in how hate crimes are prosecuted in the state. The introduction of civil liability allows victims to sue for damages without requiring a criminal conviction, thus providing an additional layer of recourse for those affected by hate crimes. This change may lead to increased accountability for offenders and can potentially deter future hate crimes by enhancing the legal ramifications associated with such actions.

Summary

House Bill 4982, titled the Texas Hate Crimes Prevention and Victim Protection Act, aims to enhance legal protections against hate crimes in Texas by introducing both criminal and civil liabilities for perpetrators. The bill defines a hate crime as an offense motivated by bias against specific groups, which can include race, religion, gender identity, and disability, among others. In addition to strengthening penalties, the bill proposes a hate crime prevention grant program aimed at supporting law enforcement efforts in investigating and addressing hate crimes more effectively.

Contention

While the bill is generally supported by advocates for social justice and victim rights, there may be points of contention regarding the definitions utilized within the legislation and the potential for misapplication. Detractors may argue that broadly defined hate crimes could inadvertently infringe upon free speech rights or be used to target specific ideologies rather than focus solely on acts of violence and property damage motivated by prejudice. Additionally, the effective implementation of the grant program could also raise budgetary concerns.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Code Of Criminal Procedure

Chapter 7. Proceedings Before Magistrates To Prevent Offenses
- Section: New Section

Chapter 42. Judgment And Sentence
- Section: New Section

Civil Practice And Remedies Code

Chapter 100. Use Of Force In Defense Of Commercial Nuclear Power Plants
- Section: New Section

Government Code

Chapter 411. Department Of Public Safety Of The State Of Texas
- Section: 046

Occupations Code

Chapter 1701. Law Enforcement Officers
- Section: New Section

Penal Code

Chapter 12. Punishments
- Section: New Section

Chapter 25. Offenses Against The Family
- Section: 071

Latest HB4982 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB5017

Relating to a criminal offense committed against a person because of bias or prejudice on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

TX SB2537

Relating to a criminal offense committed against a person because of bias or prejudice on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

TX HB7

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Border Force, and to compensate persons affected by those threats; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.

TX HB61

TX SB224

Relating to catalytic converters, including criminal conduct involving catalytic converters; providing an administrative penalty; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty; increasing a fee.

TX SB1427

Relating to certain criminal conduct and organizations that threaten the security of this state and its residents and borders; increasing criminal penalties.

TX HB4598

TX SB465

Relating to certain criminal conduct involving a catalytic converter; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties.

TX HB1402

Relating to the criminal penalties for certain criminal offenses.

TX SB1527

Relating to human trafficking, including the prosecution and punishment of compelling and solicitation of prostitution and other sexual or assaultive offenses; increasing a criminal penalty; creating a criminal offense.