Bill > HB1714

This bill amends the Texas Penal Code to expand the definition of sexual assault without consent by adding two new circumstances under which sexual assault can be considered non-consensual. Specifically, the bill adds two new provisions: first, that sexual assault occurs when the actor knows the victim is intoxicated to the point of being unable to understand or appreciate the nature of the sexual act, and second, when the actor continues a sexual act after the victim has explicitly withdrawn consent. These additions broaden the legal understanding of sexual consent by recognizing that consent can be withdrawn during an act and that intoxication can render a person unable to provide meaningful consent. The changes will apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, meaning that for any offenses before that date, the previous legal definition will still be used. This legislation aims to provide clearer legal protection for victims of sexual assault by more comprehensively defining situations where consent is not present.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1714