Texas 2023 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB386 Engrossed / Bill

Filed 04/05/2023

                    By: Hall, et al. S.B. No. 386


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 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:
 (1)  was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge
 indicating the person's employment as a peace officer or fireman;
 or
 (2)  made an identification as a peace officer or
 fireman to the actor.
 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.