S.B. No. 456 amends the Texas Penal Code and the Occupations Code to address the illegal purchase or sale of human organs. Specifically, it reclassifies the offense under Section 48.02(d) from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony, thereby increasing the criminal penalty for violations related to human organ trafficking. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision in the Occupations Code, Section 164.0571, which mandates the revocation of a physician's license if they knowingly use a human organ obtained in violation of the amended Section 48.02.

The changes in the law will only apply to offenses and conduct occurring on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Offenses committed before this date will be governed by the previous law, ensuring that individuals are not retroactively penalized under the new provisions. This legislative action aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding human organ transactions and enhance accountability among medical professionals.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 48.02 (Penal Code 48)
Senate Committee Report: Penal Code 48.02 (Penal Code 48)
Engrossed: Penal Code 48.02 (Penal Code 48)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 48.02 (Penal Code 48)
Enrolled: Penal Code 48.02 (Penal Code 48)