Bill > SB2

This bill amends Texas law to change the punishment for a capital felony, which is a very serious crime, when committed by an individual younger than 18 years of age. Previously, the law distinguished punishments based on whether a case was transferred to adult court, but this bill now mandates that if a capital felony is committed by someone under 18, the punishment will be life imprisonment, and if committed by someone 18 or older, the punishment will be life imprisonment without parole, regardless of court transfer. The bill also clarifies that in cases where the state is not seeking the death penalty for a capital felony, the judge must sentence the defendant to life imprisonment or life imprisonment without parole as specified by law, and these changes apply to pending or future criminal actions, but do not affect final convictions that already exist.