The bill amends various sections of Texas law regarding the age at which a juvenile court can exercise jurisdiction over a child and the minimum age of criminal responsibility. It raises the minimum age for a child to be defined as such in several legal contexts from 10 to 12 years old. Specifically, it states that a "child" is now defined as a person who is at least 12 years old and younger than 18 years old in the Code of Criminal Procedure, Education Code, and Family Code. Additionally, it introduces new provisions for children younger than 12, requiring their release from custody unless they pose an immediate threat to public safety.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a jurisdictional hearing process for children under 12 years of age, allowing the court to determine whether to retain jurisdiction based on specific criteria, including the nature of the alleged conduct and the effectiveness of parental or community interventions. It also includes provisions for referrals to community services for children who are not subject to juvenile court jurisdiction. The bill repeals certain existing provisions and clarifies that the changes will apply only to offenses committed or conduct occurring on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.141, Family Code 51.02, Family Code 52.02, Family Code 53.01, Family Code 53.011, Penal Code 8.07 (Family Code 52, Family Code 51, Family Code 53, Education Code 37, Penal Code 8)