H.B. No. 2237 seeks to abolish the death penalty in Texas by amending various sections of the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill removes references to the death penalty in capital felony cases, establishing that individuals convicted of such crimes will instead face life imprisonment or life without parole, depending on their age at the time of the offense. It also modifies jury instructions and procedures to ensure jurors understand that life sentences are the only possible outcomes. Additionally, the bill allows defendants in capital felony cases to waive their right to a jury trial under certain conditions and eliminates specific requirements for appointing counsel when the death penalty is not pursued.

Moreover, the bill amends the handling of restitution payments to victims, requiring courts to provide the name and address of the person or agency responsible for forwarding payments or the victim's name and permanent address if payments are made directly. It clarifies punishments for certain offenses by removing the death penalty option and specifying life imprisonment or a minimum two-year term. The bill also repeals several provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, indicating a significant overhaul of legal processes. These changes will apply to all criminal actions pending or commenced after the bill's effective date, which will be immediate upon a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 12.31, Government Code 557.012 (Government Code 557, Penal Code 12)