Bill > HB2602

This bill amends the Texas Penal Code to expand the affirmative defense against prosecution for certain criminal offenses involving material or conduct that may be obscene or otherwise harmful to children. Specifically, it removes the "educational" justification for the sale, distribution, or exhibition of such material, and adds "psychological" and "judicial" purposes to the list of affirmative defenses for the offense of employing, authorizing, or inducing a child to engage in sexual conduct. The changes in the law apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2023.