BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1019 89R6393 CJD-F By: Huffman Criminal Justice 3/13/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 1019 addresses the discrepancy in hearsay statement admissibility between criminal and juvenile proceedings by raising the age limit for an alleged victim to receive support from an outcry witness in juvenile cases, from 12 years of age or younger to 18 years of age or younger. Additionally, the bill explicitly defines "person with a disability" by referencing Section 22.04 of the Penal Code, aligning the definition with "disabled individual." As proposed, S.B. 1019 amends current law relating to the admissibility of certain hearsay statements in the adjudication of certain sexual or assaultive offenses committed against a child or a person with a disability. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 54.031(a) and (d), Family Code, as follows: (a) Provides that Section 54.031 (Hearsay Statement of Certain Abuse Victims) applies to a hearing under Title 3 (Juvenile Justice Code) in which a child is alleged to be a delinquent child on the basis of a violation of certain provisions of the Penal Code, if a child 18, rather than 12, years of age or younger or a person with a disability is the alleged victim of the violation. (d) Redefines "person with a disability." SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1019
89R6393 CJD-F By: Huffman
Criminal Justice
3/13/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1019
89R6393 CJD-F
By: Huffman
Criminal Justice
3/13/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1019 addresses the discrepancy in hearsay statement admissibility between criminal and juvenile proceedings by raising the age limit for an alleged victim to receive support from an outcry witness in juvenile cases, from 12 years of age or younger to 18 years of age or younger. Additionally, the bill explicitly defines "person with a disability" by referencing Section 22.04 of the Penal Code, aligning the definition with "disabled individual."
As proposed, S.B. 1019 amends current law relating to the admissibility of certain hearsay statements in the adjudication of certain sexual or assaultive offenses committed against a child or a person with a disability.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Sections 54.031(a) and (d), Family Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that Section 54.031 (Hearsay Statement of Certain Abuse Victims) applies to a hearing under Title 3 (Juvenile Justice Code) in which a child is alleged to be a delinquent child on the basis of a violation of certain provisions of the Penal Code, if a child 18, rather than 12, years of age or younger or a person with a disability is the alleged victim of the violation.
(d) Redefines "person with a disability."
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.