The bill amends the Texas Penal Code to clarify the legal justification for using force or deadly force in response to violent felonies. It introduces a new definition of "violent felony," which encompasses any felony offense under state law, federal law, or the laws of federally recognized Indian tribes that involves the intentional or knowing use, attempted use, or threatened use of force or deadly force against any person. This definition is added as Subdivision (6) to Section 9.01 of the Penal Code.

Additionally, the bill modifies Sections 9.31 and 9.32 of the Penal Code to include "another violent felony" alongside existing offenses such as aggravated kidnapping, murder, and robbery, as justifiable reasons for using force or deadly force. The changes ensure that individuals can defend themselves against a broader range of violent felonies. The bill specifies that these changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, maintaining the applicability of prior laws for offenses committed before this date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 9.01, Penal Code 9.31, Penal Code 9.32 (Penal Code 9)