House Bill No. 544, introduced by Gervin-Hawkins, amends Section 3.03(b) of the Penal Code to clarify the imposition of consecutive sentences for multiple offenses related to injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual that arise from the same criminal episode. The bill allows for consecutive sentences if the convictions fall under specific categories, including offenses under various sections of the Penal Code, such as Sections 49.07, 49.08, and 22.04. Notably, the bill removes the previous stipulation that only certain felony offenses under Section 22.04 were eligible for consecutive sentencing, broadening the scope of applicable offenses.

The changes made by this Act will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. Offenses committed prior to this date will continue to be governed by the law in effect at the time of the offense. This ensures that individuals charged with offenses before the effective date are not subject to the new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 3.03 (Penal Code 3)