The George Foreman Justice Act proposes to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Texas from 17 to 18 years, redefining a "child" as anyone aged 10 to under 18, and including individuals aged 18 to 20 under juvenile court jurisdiction for offenses committed before turning 18. This change means that individuals cannot be prosecuted for crimes committed before their 18th birthday, except for certain serious offenses. The bill also modifies various procedural aspects related to juvenile offenders, such as the transfer of individuals certified to stand trial as adults and the issuance of court appearance notices, while emphasizing that those under 18 cannot be taken into secured custody for offenses alleged to have occurred before their 18th birthday.

Additionally, the bill amends the Family Code and other related codes to adjust age limits for juvenile supervision and legal processes, raising the age from 19 to 20 for several provisions. It establishes that community supervision for juveniles will depend on the payment of any unpaid restitution and clarifies that parental liability for restitution does not extend upon transfer to a district court. The bill also updates definitions and conditions for sealing and destroying juvenile records, allowing for the juvenile court to retain jurisdiction for contempt orders for up to six months after a child's 19th birthday. An advisory committee will be established to monitor the implementation of these changes, which will take effect on September 1, 2027, with certain provisions starting earlier on September 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to create a more rehabilitative juvenile justice system that reflects the new age threshold.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 51.02, Penal Code 8.07, Penal Code 15.031, Penal Code 21.02, Penal Code 33.021, Penal Code 71.028, Transportation Code 545.424, Transportation Code 729.001, Transportation Code 729.002, Education Code 37.085, Transportation Code 521.453, Family Code 51.041, Family Code 51.0412, Family Code 51.12, Family Code 54.02, Family Code 54.0326, Family Code 54.04, Family Code 54.0405, Family Code 54.041, Family Code 54.05, Family Code 54.051, Family Code 54.11, Family Code 55.15, Family Code 55.18, Family Code 55.19, Family Code 55.43, Family Code 55.44, Family Code 56.03, Family Code 58.0052, Family Code 58.253, Family Code 58.255, Family Code 58.256, Family Code 58.264, Family Code 59.005, Family Code 59.006, Family Code 59.007, Family Code 59.008, Family Code 59.009, Family Code 61.051, Health and Safety Code 614.019, Human Resources Code 63.001, Human Resources Code 152.0015, Human Resources Code 51.12, Human Resources Code 243.001, Human Resources Code 243.051, Human Resources Code 244.014, Human Resources Code 244.015, Human Resources Code 245.053, Human Resources Code 245.151, Commerce Code 109.001, Family Code 65.251, Government Code 79.001, Transportation Code 521.201 (Penal Code 71, Family Code 58, Family Code 51, Family Code 61, Human Resources Code 63, Family Code 56, Transportation Code 545, Health and Safety Code 614, Human Resources Code 243, Penal Code 33, Commerce Code 109, Family Code 65, Transportation Code 729, Penal Code 21, Human Resources Code 245, Government Code 79, Penal Code 15, Human Resources Code 51, Family Code 55, Education Code 37, Family Code 59, Human Resources Code 152, Family Code 54, Transportation Code 521, Human Resources Code 244, Penal Code 8)
House Committee Report: Family Code 51.02, Penal Code 8.07, Penal Code 15.031, Penal Code 21.02, Penal Code 33.021, Penal Code 71.028, Transportation Code 545.424, Transportation Code 729.001, Transportation Code 729.002, Education Code 37.085, Transportation Code 521.453, Family Code 51.041, Family Code 51.0412, Family Code 51.12, Family Code 54.02, Family Code 54.0326, Family Code 54.04, Family Code 54.0405, Family Code 54.041, Family Code 54.05, Family Code 54.051, Family Code 54.11, Family Code 55.15, Family Code 55.18, Family Code 55.19, Family Code 55.43, Family Code 55.44, Family Code 56.03, Family Code 58.0052, Family Code 58.253, Family Code 58.255, Family Code 58.256, Family Code 58.264, Family Code 59.005, Family Code 59.006, Family Code 59.007, Family Code 59.008, Family Code 59.009, Family Code 61.051, Health and Safety Code 614.019, Human Resources Code 63.001, Human Resources Code 152.0015, Human Resources Code 51.12, Human Resources Code 243.001, Human Resources Code 243.051, Human Resources Code 244.014, Human Resources Code 244.015, Human Resources Code 245.053, Human Resources Code 245.151, Commerce Code 109.001, Family Code 65.251, Government Code 79.001, Transportation Code 521.201 (Penal Code 71, Family Code 58, Family Code 51, Family Code 61, Human Resources Code 63, Family Code 56, Transportation Code 545, Health and Safety Code 614, Human Resources Code 243, Penal Code 33, Commerce Code 109, Family Code 65, Transportation Code 729, Penal Code 21, Human Resources Code 245, Government Code 79, Penal Code 15, Human Resources Code 51, Family Code 55, Education Code 37, Family Code 59, Human Resources Code 152, Family Code 54, Transportation Code 521, Human Resources Code 244, Penal Code 8)
Engrossed: Family Code 51.02, Penal Code 8.07, Penal Code 15.031, Penal Code 21.02, Penal Code 33.021, Penal Code 71.028, Transportation Code 545.424, Transportation Code 729.001, Transportation Code 729.002, Education Code 37.085, Transportation Code 521.453, Family Code 51.041, Family Code 51.0412, Family Code 51.12, Family Code 54.02, Family Code 54.0326, Family Code 54.04, Family Code 54.0405, Family Code 54.041, Family Code 54.05, Family Code 54.051, Family Code 54.11, Family Code 55.15, Family Code 55.18, Family Code 55.19, Family Code 55.43, Family Code 55.44, Family Code 56.03, Family Code 58.0052, Family Code 58.253, Family Code 58.255, Family Code 58.256, Family Code 58.264, Family Code 59.005, Family Code 59.006, Family Code 59.007, Family Code 59.008, Family Code 59.009, Family Code 61.051, Health and Safety Code 614.019, Human Resources Code 63.001, Human Resources Code 152.0015, Human Resources Code 51.12, Human Resources Code 243.001, Human Resources Code 243.051, Human Resources Code 244.014, Human Resources Code 244.015, Human Resources Code 245.053, Human Resources Code 245.151, Commerce Code 109.001, Family Code 65.251, Government Code 79.001, Transportation Code 521.201 (Penal Code 71, Family Code 58, Family Code 51, Family Code 61, Human Resources Code 63, Family Code 56, Transportation Code 545, Health and Safety Code 614, Human Resources Code 243, Penal Code 33, Commerce Code 109, Family Code 65, Transportation Code 729, Penal Code 21, Human Resources Code 245, Government Code 79, Penal Code 15, Human Resources Code 51, Family Code 55, Education Code 37, Family Code 59, Human Resources Code 152, Family Code 54, Transportation Code 521, Human Resources Code 244, Penal Code 8)