The bill, H.B. No. 1789, seeks to enhance the criminal penalty for intoxication manslaughter by amending Section 49.09(b-2) of the Penal Code. The amendment specifies that an offense under Section 49.08 will be classified as a felony of the first degree if it is proven during the trial that the individual caused the death of either a person described by Subsection (b-1) or more than one person during the same criminal transaction. This change aims to impose stricter penalties for those who cause fatalities while driving under the influence, particularly in cases involving multiple victims.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the new law 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 existing laws at the time of the offense, ensuring that individuals are not retroactively penalized under the new provisions. This approach balances the need for tougher penalties with the principle of legal fairness for past actions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()