Bill > HB2454

This bill, known as the Texas Home Ownership Protection and Enforcement Act, introduces several significant legal provisions aimed at protecting property owners and preventing unauthorized property occupation. The bill modifies the Texas Penal Code to create new criminal offenses related to real property, specifically targeting fraudulent property transactions and unauthorized occupancy. It establishes criminal penalties for presenting false documents to enter or remain on real property, with offenses ranging from Class A misdemeanors to first-degree felonies depending on the circumstances. The bill also creates a new legal mechanism for property owners to request the immediate removal of unauthorized occupants from their residential property through a detailed complaint process to the county sheriff. Property owners must meet specific criteria to request removal, such as proving the occupant entered without consent and is not a tenant or family member. The bill provides sheriffs with clear guidelines for verifying complaints, serving notice, and removing unauthorized occupants, while also establishing potential legal recourse for individuals who may be wrongfully removed. Additionally, the bill increases criminal penalties for property damage under certain conditions, such as damaging a habitation with a firearm. The new provisions aim to provide property owners with more robust legal tools to protect their property and prevent fraudulent occupation or transactions.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2454