H.B. No. 1422 seeks to strengthen the legal framework surrounding sexual offenses in Texas by enhancing the rights of victims and introducing new criminal offenses. The bill adds Section 21.03, titled "Continuous Sexual Abuse," which criminalizes the act of committing multiple sexual abuse offenses against different victims within a 30-day period. It also modifies existing laws to increase penalties for certain offenses, particularly those involving minors, by reclassifying some offenses and establishing harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Additionally, the bill expands the list of offenses that affect parole eligibility and community supervision, ensuring that individuals convicted of serious sexual offenses face stricter consequences.

Moreover, the bill introduces new provisions for handling evidence collected during forensic medical examinations in sexual assault cases that are not reported to law enforcement. It mandates the development of procedures for the transfer, preservation, and testing of such evidence, while ensuring that survivors are notified before any destruction of evidence occurs. The legislation allows survivors to consent to forensic DNA testing without needing to report the offense, thereby encouraging more individuals to come forward. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and the Department of Public Safety is required to adopt a compliance form by December 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 420.0735, Penal Code 3.03, Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 12.502, Penal Code 21.17, Penal Code 22.021 (Penal Code 22, Penal Code 21, Government Code 420, Penal Code 12, Penal Code 3)
House Committee Report: Government Code 420.0735, Government Code 499.027, Government Code 508.145, Government Code 51.03, Government Code 21.03, Government Code 508.189, Penal Code 3.03, Penal Code 12.35, Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 12.502, Penal Code 15.031, Penal Code 15.032, Chapter , Penal Code 22.021, Penal Code 21.17, Penal Code 21.18, Penal Code 22.021 (Chapter , Penal Code 22, Penal Code 22, Government Code 508, Penal Code 15, Government Code 499, Government Code 51, Penal Code 21, Government Code 420, Government Code 21, Penal Code 12, Penal Code 3)
Engrossed: Government Code 420.0735, Government Code 499.027, Government Code 508.145, Government Code 51.03, Government Code 21.03, Government Code 508.189, Penal Code 3.03, Penal Code 12.35, Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 12.502, Penal Code 15.031, Penal Code 15.032, Chapter , Penal Code 22.021, Penal Code 21.17, Penal Code 21.18, Penal Code 22.021 (Chapter , Penal Code 22, Penal Code 22, Government Code 508, Penal Code 15, Government Code 499, Government Code 51, Penal Code 21, Government Code 420, Government Code 21, Penal Code 12, Penal Code 3)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 420.0735, Government Code 499.027, Government Code 508.145, Government Code 51.03, Government Code 21.03, Government Code 508.189, Penal Code 3.03, Penal Code 12.35, Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 12.502, Penal Code 15.031, Penal Code 15.032, Chapter , Penal Code 22.021, Penal Code 21.17, Penal Code 21.18, Penal Code 22.021 (Chapter , Penal Code 22, Penal Code 22, Government Code 508, Penal Code 15, Government Code 499, Government Code 51, Penal Code 21, Government Code 420, Government Code 21, Penal Code 12, Penal Code 3)
Enrolled: Government Code 420.0735, Government Code 499.027, Government Code 508.145, Government Code 51.03, Government Code 21.03, Government Code 508.189, Penal Code 3.03, Penal Code 12.35, Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 12.502, Penal Code 15.031, Penal Code 15.032, Chapter , Penal Code 22.021, Penal Code 21.17, Penal Code 21.18, Penal Code 22.021 (Chapter , Penal Code 22, Penal Code 22, Government Code 508, Penal Code 15, Government Code 499, Government Code 51, Penal Code 21, Government Code 420, Government Code 21, Penal Code 12, Penal Code 3)