House Bill No. 2383 proposes amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Penal Code regarding the use of metal or body armor during the commission of an offense. It introduces a new section, Article 42.01992, which mandates that if a judge or jury finds beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant used metal or body armor while committing an offense classified as a Class A misdemeanor or higher (excluding first-degree felonies), the judge must enter an affirmative finding in the judgment. Additionally, Article 42.01 is amended to require that this affirmative finding be reflected in the judgment.

Furthermore, the bill adds Section 12.503 to the Penal Code, which stipulates that if an affirmative finding regarding the use of metal or body armor is made, the punishment for the offense will be escalated to the next highest category, with a specific provision that for Class A misdemeanors, the minimum confinement term will be increased to 180 days. The changes will apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

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