S.B. No. 1306 proposes significant amendments to Texas law regarding the age of criminal responsibility, raising the threshold from 17 to 18 years. The bill redefines "child" in the Family Code to encompass individuals aged 10 to under 18, as well as those aged 18 to under 20 who engaged in delinquent conduct before turning 18. It establishes that individuals cannot be prosecuted for offenses committed before age 18 unless specific conditions are met, such as a juvenile court waiving jurisdiction. The bill also modifies various sections of the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure consistent application of the new age threshold across legal contexts, with changes taking effect for offenses committed on or after September 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that extend juvenile court jurisdiction and supervision, allowing for cases involving individuals up to 20 years old to be handled within the juvenile system. It changes the age at which supervision is transferred to a district court from 19 to 20 years and allows for the sealing of juvenile records at 19 instead of 18, provided certain criteria are met. An advisory committee will be established to oversee the implementation of these changes, which aims to enhance the juvenile justice system's focus on rehabilitation and the best interests of young individuals. Overall, the bill reflects a shift in the legal framework surrounding juvenile justice, promoting a more supportive approach for youth in the system.

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