H.B. No. 1422 is a legislative measure designed to strengthen the rights of victims of sexual assault and other sex offenses in Texas. The bill introduces a new offense titled "Continuous Sexual Abuse" under Section 21.03, which criminalizes the act of committing multiple sexual abuse offenses against two or more victims within a 30-day period, with the perpetrator being at least 17 years old. It also modifies existing laws to increase penalties for certain crimes, particularly those involving minors, and expands the list of offenses that can impact parole eligibility and supervision fees. Notably, it reclassifies offenses under Section 21.17 from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony under specific circumstances, such as prior convictions or the victim being under 18.

Additionally, the bill establishes new procedures for handling evidence collected during forensic medical examinations for unreported sexual assault cases, ensuring that survivors are notified before any evidence is destroyed. It allows for limited consent for forensic DNA testing, enabling survivors to authorize testing without needing to report the offense to law enforcement. The legislation aims to encourage more victims to come forward and enhances the legal framework surrounding sexual offenses, particularly by imposing stricter penalties for repeat offenders and those committing crimes on educational institution premises. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, with the Department of Public Safety required to adopt a new form related to biological evidence 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 3, Penal Code 12, Government Code 420, Penal Code 21, Penal Code 22)
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 (Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Government Code 21, Government Code 420, Government Code 508, Penal Code 21, Government Code 51, Penal Code 15, Penal Code 22, Chapter , Penal Code 22, Government Code 499)
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 (Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Government Code 21, Government Code 420, Government Code 508, Penal Code 21, Government Code 51, Penal Code 15, Penal Code 22, Chapter , Penal Code 22, Government Code 499)
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 (Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Government Code 21, Government Code 420, Government Code 508, Penal Code 21, Government Code 51, Penal Code 15, Penal Code 22, Chapter , Penal Code 22, Government Code 499)
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 (Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Government Code 21, Government Code 420, Government Code 508, Penal Code 21, Government Code 51, Penal Code 15, Penal Code 22, Chapter , Penal Code 22, Government Code 499)