S.B. No. 386
AN ACT
relating to the prosecution of a capital murder committed against a
peace officer or fireman.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Richard Houston II
Act.
SECTION 2. Section 19.03, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) For purposes of Subsection (a)(1), the actor is presumed
to have known the person murdered was a peace officer or fireman if
the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating
the person's employment as a peace officer or fireman.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 386 passed the Senate on
April 5, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 25, 2023, by the
following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 386 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 23, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 140,
Nays 0, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor