The bill, H.B. No. 1602, amends Section 261.107(a) of the Family Code to enhance the penalties for making false reports of child abuse or neglect. Under the new provisions, a person who knowingly makes a false report with the intent to deceive will be charged with a state jail felony. However, if it is proven during the trial that the individual has a prior conviction for a similar offense or that the false report was made due to bias or prejudice, the offense will escalate to a felony of the third degree. This change aims to deter false reporting by imposing stricter consequences for repeat offenders and those motivated by discriminatory reasons.

The bill specifies that the amended law will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. Any offenses occurring before this date will be governed by the previous law, ensuring that individuals are not retroactively penalized under the new provisions. This approach balances the need for stricter penalties with fairness to those who may have committed offenses under the old legal framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 261.107 (Family Code 261)