The bill, H.B. No. 288, proposes the creation of a new criminal offense related to the operation of premises for unlawful controlled substance consumption. It introduces Section 481.142 to the Health and Safety Code, defining the offense as occurring when a person who owns, rents, leases, manages, or controls a premises knowingly allows individuals to use controlled substances in violation of the law. The bill outlines three specific actions that constitute the offense: operating the premises for such use, profiting from the premises while allowing such use, or making the premises available for this purpose, regardless of whether compensation is received.

The bill classifies this offense as a second-degree felony and clarifies that if the conduct also violates other laws, the individual may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both. The proposed law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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Introduced: ()