Bill > HB734

This bill amends the Texas Family Code to increase criminal penalties for failing to report child abuse or neglect. Currently, failing to report child abuse is a Class A misdemeanor, but the bill elevates the offense to a state jail felony under specific circumstances. These circumstances include situations where the person intentionally tried to conceal the abuse or neglect, or where the unreported conduct involves serious sexual offenses against children. The specific sexual offenses that trigger the enhanced penalty include continuous sexual abuse, indecency with a child, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, human trafficking, solicitation of prostitution, compelling prostitution, sexual exploitation, producing obscene or pornographic images of a child, or engaging a child in a sexual performance. The changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with previous offenses still governed by the law in effect at the time they were committed. The bill aims to strengthen protections for children by imposing more severe criminal penalties on those who fail to report serious instances of child abuse or sexual misconduct.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB734