Texas House Bill HB3921

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/6/25

Caption

Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of aggravated sexual assault committed by a member of the clergy.

Impact

If enacted, HB3921 would have significant implications on how the criminal justice system handles cases of sexual assault involving clergy. By imposing stricter penalties, the bill is intended to deter such offenses, particularly as they relate to minors. It also serves to reinforce legal protections for children and may encourage more victims and their families to come forward, knowing there are severe consequences for offenders. This could potentially change how law enforcement addresses these cases, leading to more rigorous investigations and prosecutions.

Summary

House Bill 3921 aims to increase the criminal penalties for aggravated sexual assault committed by members of the clergy. The bill proposes that if the victim is under the age of 14, and if the offense is committed in a certain egregious manner, or if the offender is a member of the clergy, the minimum term of imprisonment would be raised to 25 years. The legislation reflects a growing concern regarding the protection of vulnerable victims, particularly children, and seeks to hold clergy members to higher accountability standards due to their positions of trust and authority within communities.

Contention

While the bill appears to garner support for its intentions to protect children and strengthen penalties, concerns may exist regarding its implementation. Opponents could argue that such increasing penalties do not necessarily lead to decreased offenses, and there might be fears regarding how cases against clergy will be prosecuted, especially in terms of adequate resources for investigations. Additionally, there may be discussions about the fairness of singling out clergy members for harsher penalties compared to similar offenses committed by others, leading to debates on equal application of the law.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Penal Code

• Chapter 22. Assaultive Offenses
  • Section: New Section