The bill, S.B. No. 793, amends Section 46.04(b) of the Texas Penal Code to prohibit individuals convicted of certain family violence misdemeanors from possessing firearms. Specifically, it targets those convicted of offenses under Section 22.01, which are punishable as Class A misdemeanors, and expands the definition of the victim to include individuals with whom the offender has a specified relationship, as outlined in the Family Code. The previous language that referred to offenses involving a "member of the person's family or household" has been removed, and the new language clarifies the relationships that fall under this prohibition.

The bill stipulates that the firearm possession ban lasts until the fifth anniversary of either the individual's release from confinement or community supervision following their misdemeanor conviction. It also establishes that the changes in law will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Offenses committed prior to this date will be governed by the law in effect at that time.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 46.04 (Penal Code 46)