Texas House Bill HB769

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the elements of and punishment for the offense of providing an alcoholic beverage to a minor.

Impact

The bill changes the classification of the offense relating to minors and alcoholic beverages significantly. Under the proposed changes, an offense that results in serious bodily injury or death to another person due to a minor's consumption of an alcoholic beverage would elevate the crime from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony. This alteration highlights a more stringent approach on accountability, aiming to hold individuals more responsible for their actions that put minors at risk.

Summary

House Bill 769 aims to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Code in Texas regarding the offense of providing alcoholic beverages to minors. The bill redefines the conditions under which an individual commits an offense by specifying that a person is guilty if they purchase or provide an alcoholic beverage to a minor with criminal negligence. This change emphasizes the need for responsible behavior when it comes to serving alcohol to those underage and seeks to discourage actions that could lead to serious repercussions.

Contention

Notable points of contention around this bill may arise from discussions on appropriate penalties and the extent of legal responsibility. Advocates for the bill argue that the enhanced penalties are necessary to deter reckless behavior that endangers the health and safety of minors. However, opponents may raise concerns regarding the implications of being labeled a felony, particularly how it might disproportionately affect individuals and families, and whether it could lead to over-criminalization of behavior that could be deemed unintended or accidental.