Bill > HB2030

This bill modifies existing Texas Penal Code sections related to affirmative defenses for criminal offenses involving potentially obscene or child-harmful material by removing "educational" as an acceptable justification for legal defense in three different sections. Specifically, the bill eliminates "educational" as a potential justification for defense in sections 43.24(c), 43.25(f), and 43.26(c), while maintaining other valid justifications such as scientific, governmental, judicial, law enforcement, medical, psychiatric, and psychological purposes. In section 43.26(c), the bill also refines the language to explicitly state an affirmative defense for conduct with a bona fide judicial or law enforcement purpose. The changes will apply only 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. By removing "educational" as a potential defense, the bill appears to narrow the legal protections available in cases involving potentially obscene or child-harmful material.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2030