H.B. No. 396 amends Section 46.04(b) of the Penal Code to prohibit individuals convicted of certain family violence misdemeanors from possessing firearms. Specifically, the bill targets those convicted of offenses under Section 22.01 that are committed against individuals with whom the offender has a specified relationship, as outlined in the Family Code. The amendment removes the classification of the misdemeanor as a "Class A" and clarifies the relationships that fall under this prohibition, replacing the previous language that referred to "members of the person's family or household."

The bill stipulates that individuals who fall under this prohibition cannot possess a firearm until five years have passed from either their release from confinement or community supervision following their misdemeanor conviction. Additionally, the law will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Offenses committed prior to this date will be governed by the existing law at that time.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 46.04 (Penal Code 46)