Bill > HB1789

This bill enhances the criminal penalties for intoxication manslaughter by modifying Section 49.09(b-2) of the Texas Penal Code. Specifically, the bill expands the circumstances under which an intoxication manslaughter offense can be charged as a first-degree felony. The new provisions now allow for a first-degree felony charge if the person either causes the death of an individual described in a previous subsection or kills more than one person during the same criminal transaction. The change in law will only apply to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, meaning that for offenses committed before this date, the previous legal standards will continue to apply. A first-degree felony in Texas typically carries a more severe punishment, potentially including a longer prison sentence, reflecting the bill's intent to impose stricter penalties for multiple fatalities caused by intoxicated driving.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1789