The bill, H.B. No. 711, amends Section 46.04(b) of the Texas Penal Code to prohibit individuals convicted of certain family violence misdemeanors from possessing firearms. Specifically, it targets those convicted of offenses under Section 22.01, which are punishable as Class A misdemeanors, if the offense was committed against someone with a specified relationship to the offender, as outlined in the Family Code. The bill removes the previous language that referred to offenses involving a member of the person's family or household and replaces it with more specific relationship criteria.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the prohibition on firearm possession lasts until the fifth anniversary of the individual's release from confinement or community supervision following their conviction. The changes in 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 continue to be governed by the existing law.

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