The bill, H.B. No. 1552, introduced by Paul, seeks to update Texas law by replacing the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" across various sections of the Penal Code and the Business & Commerce Code. This change is reflected in the heading of Section 43.26, which is amended to "POSSESSION OR PROMOTION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL," among other updates throughout the legislation. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of computer technicians and service providers to report any discovery of such material to law enforcement, while providing liability protections for telecommunications providers regarding the transmission or storage of this material.

Furthermore, the bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Estates Code to clarify definitions and legal language related to child sexual abuse material and other offenses. It expands the definition of "abuse" to include a wider range of harmful behaviors and specifies offenses that disqualify a parent from inheriting from a child, particularly serious crimes against children. The legislation aims to enhance legal protections for children and ensure that those who commit severe offenses face appropriate consequences, with the changes set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 43.26, Commerce Code 110.001, Commerce Code 110.002, Commerce Code 110.003, Estates Code 201.062, Family Code 161.001, Family Code 261.001, Family Code 262.2015 (Estates Code 201, Family Code 262, Family Code 161, Penal Code 43, Family Code 261, Commerce Code 110)