House Bill No. 2695 proposes an amendment to the Health and Safety Code by adding Section 481.142, which addresses the use of social media platforms in the context of delivering controlled substances. The bill defines "social media platform" as per Section 120.001 of the Business & Commerce Code and stipulates that if a defendant is found to have used such a platform in furtherance of an offense related to the delivery of controlled substances (as outlined in various sections of the code), the penalties for that offense will be escalated. Specifically, the punishment will be increased to the next higher category of offense, with a notable provision that for first-degree felonies, the sentence will be extended by five years and the maximum fine will be doubled.

The bill clarifies that the changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that any offenses occurring prior to this date will be governed by the existing laws at that time. This approach allows for a clear transition into the new legal framework while maintaining the integrity of past legal proceedings.

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