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 establishes that a person commits an offense if they observe the commission or attempted commission of a sexual or assaultive crime against a child and fail to assist or report it, provided they can do so without risking serious bodily injury or death.

Additionally, the bill increases the penalty for this offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony of the third degree. It also clarifies that if the conduct constitutes an offense under other laws, the individual may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both. The changes will apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

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