S.B. No. 1306 amends Texas law to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 17 to 18 years, redefining "child" in the Family Code to include individuals aged 10 to under 18, as well as those aged 18 to under 20 who engaged in delinquent conduct before turning 18. The bill prohibits prosecution for offenses committed before the age of 18, with exceptions only if the juvenile court waives jurisdiction. It also makes various amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, including changes to definitions and penalties for specific offenses, and establishes that these changes will apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill modifies juvenile court procedures, ensuring that individuals are treated according to their age at the time of the offense. It raises age limits for community supervision and probation, stipulating that supervision will transfer to a district court on the individual's 20th birthday, and allows for the sealing of juvenile records at age 20 instead of 19. An advisory committee will be established to monitor the implementation of these changes, which aim to provide a more structured and fair approach to juvenile justice while extending protections for young individuals transitioning into adulthood.

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 21, Commerce Code 109, Penal Code 71, Transportation Code 521, Human Resources Code 243, Transportation Code 545, Government Code 79, Family Code 59, Family Code 54, Family Code 65, Penal Code 33, Family Code 51, Family Code 58, Human Resources Code 51, Human Resources Code 245, Human Resources Code 152, Education Code 37, Human Resources Code 244, Family Code 55, Transportation Code 729, Family Code 61, Health and Safety Code 614, Human Resources Code 63, Family Code 56, Penal Code 8, Penal Code 15)