S.B. No. 343 seeks to abolish the death penalty in Texas by amending various sections of the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill removes provisions that previously mandated the death penalty for capital felonies, replacing it with life imprisonment without parole as the maximum sentence. It deletes language that allowed jurors in capital trials to be informed about the death penalty, ensuring they are only made aware of life sentences based on the offender's age at the time of the crime. Additionally, the bill modifies jury trial procedures and the appointment of counsel for indigent defendants, while eliminating references to capital cases involving the death penalty.

The legislation also addresses the handling of restitution payments to victims, requiring courts to provide the name and address of the person or agency responsible for forwarding payments or the victim's name and permanent address if payments are made directly. It further modifies Section 557.012(b) of the Government Code to clarify confinement terms and repeals several provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure to streamline the legal framework. The changes will apply to all criminal actions pending or commenced after the bill's effective date, without affecting any final convictions at that time. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 12.31, Government Code 557.012 (Penal Code 12, Government Code 557)