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 a federally recognized Indian tribe that involves the intentional or knowing use, attempted use, or threatened use of force or deadly force against any person. Additionally, the bill expands the list of offenses that justify the use of force or deadly force to include "another violent felony," alongside existing offenses such as aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, and robbery.

The amendments to Sections 9.31 and 9.32 of the Penal Code specify that a person is justified in using force or deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to protect themselves against unlawful force or to prevent the imminent commission of a violent felony. The bill also stipulates that these changes apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Offenses committed before this date will be governed by the law in effect at that time.

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