Bill > SB343

This bill proposes to abolish the death penalty in Texas by removing all references to capital punishment and replacing them with alternative sentencing guidelines. Specifically, the bill modifies the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure to mandate that individuals convicted of capital felonies will now receive either life imprisonment (if under 18 at the time of the offense) or life imprisonment without parole (if 18 or older). The legislation eliminates special jury selection procedures previously used in death penalty cases, removes provisions related to death penalty sentencing, and updates various legal statutes to reflect the removal of capital punishment. Jury selection, trial procedures, and sentencing guidelines are streamlined to remove death penalty-specific language, with the primary focus now being on life sentences as the maximum punishment for the most serious offenses. The bill will apply to all criminal actions pending, on appeal, or commenced after its effective date, though it will not affect final convictions that already exist. The act can take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, otherwise it will become effective on September 1, 2025.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB343