Bill > HB854

This bill amends the Texas Penal Code to change the definition of "child" from a person younger than 17 years of age to a person younger than 18 years of age. It also modifies the affirmative defenses and increases the criminal penalties for the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child. Specifically, it adds an exception for when the child's access to the firearm was authorized by the child's parent or guardian for lawful purposes. It also increases the offense from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor or a third-degree felony if the child discharges the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury to another person, depending on whether the victim resided with the child.