H.B. No. 1509, also known as Shannah's Law, amends Section 38.17 of the Penal Code to address the offense of failure to stop or report aggravated sexual assault of a child. The bill removes the previous exemption for individuals who have a relationship with the child, thereby holding all individuals accountable for reporting such offenses. It reclassifies the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony of the third degree, significantly increasing the potential penalties for failing to act in these situations. Additionally, the bill clarifies that if the conduct also constitutes an offense under another law, the individual may be prosecuted under both this section and the other law.

The changes made by this Act will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. Offenses that occurred prior to this date will be governed by the law in effect at that time, ensuring that individuals are not retroactively penalized under the new provisions. This legislative change aims to enhance the protection of children by imposing stricter consequences on those who fail to report or assist in cases of aggravated sexual assault.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 38.17 (Penal Code 38)