Bill > SB1432

This bill modifies the Texas Penal Code's definition of sexual assault by expanding the circumstances under which sexual contact is considered non-consensual. The bill adds several new provisions, including that sexual assault occurs when the actor knows the victim cannot consent due to intoxication or impairment, has withdrawn consent during the act, is unconscious, physically unable to resist, or unaware that the sexual assault is occurring. The bill also clarifies that "consent" will have the meaning assigned in another section of the law. Additionally, the bill adjusts the statute of limitations for complaints involving specific types of sexual assault, particularly those committed by healthcare providers or those in positions of authority or dependency. The changes broaden the legal understanding of consent and provide more comprehensive protection against sexual assault by recognizing a wider range of scenarios where a person cannot or does not provide genuine consent. The modifications will apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, ensuring that the new provisions do not retroactively impact past cases.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1432