H.B. No. 1391 aims to strengthen the prosecution and punishment of trafficking and sexual offenses in Texas by increasing criminal penalties and modifying parole eligibility. The bill reclassifies certain offenses as capital felonies, particularly when the victim is a minor or when serious bodily injury or death occurs during the crime. It specifically targets trafficking offenses involving vulnerable populations, increasing penalties for those involving individuals aged 14 to 18, and establishing stricter parole eligibility criteria for serious offenses. Additionally, public schools are required to post warning signs about the heightened penalties for trafficking offenses, ensuring awareness among employees and visitors.

The legislation also amends existing provisions related to sexually violent offenses, mandating life imprisonment without parole for defendants convicted of such offenses after their 18th birthday if they have prior convictions for similar offenses. It removes references to certain offenses under Section 20A.03 and clarifies that the punishment applies to non-capital felony offenses. Furthermore, the bill repeals several provisions from the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code. These changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 21.02, Penal Code 43.03, Penal Code 43.031, Penal Code 43.041, Penal Code 43.05, Penal Code 43.23, Penal Code 43.25, Education Code 37.086, Government Code 508.145, Government Code 51.03, Penal Code 71.02 (Education Code 37, Penal Code 21, Penal Code 71, Government Code 508, Penal Code 43, Government Code 51)