Bill > SB1462

This bill introduces new provisions in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that provide special considerations for defendants who are primary caretakers of children, both in cases of deferred adjudication and community supervision. A "primary caretaker" is defined as someone who provides for a child's needs such as housing, healthcare, financial support, education, and safety. For eligible defendants charged with offenses that qualify for deferred adjudication or community supervision, courts may now suspend traditional sentencing and instead place them on supervision that emphasizes parent-child unity and rehabilitation. The bill allows courts to impose supportive conditions like substance abuse counseling, domestic violence education, parenting skills training, vocational education, housing assistance, and family counseling. Importantly, courts are generally prohibited from requiring confinement as a condition of supervision for these defendants, though confinement may be ordered if supervision conditions are violated. The provisions apply to defendants who enter pleas or are sentenced on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, and aim to minimize the potential disruption to children's lives when a parent is facing criminal charges by providing alternative sentencing options that prioritize family stability and rehabilitation.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1462