The bill, S.B. No. 1390, aims to enhance the criminal penalties for burglary of a place of worship by amending Section 30.02 of the Penal Code. The proposed changes include the addition of new legal language that classifies burglary of a place of worship as a felony of the first degree if the offender entered with the intent to commit a felony other than theft or attempted to commit such a felony. Additionally, the bill specifies that an offense committed in a habitation or a place of worship is classified as a felony of the second degree, while offenses in other buildings are classified as state jail felonies.

The bill also clarifies that the changes will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning that any offenses occurring before this date will be governed by the previous law. This ensures that individuals charged with offenses prior to the enactment of the new law will not be subject to the enhanced penalties. Overall, the bill seeks to provide stronger legal repercussions for crimes committed against places of worship, reflecting the importance of protecting these community spaces.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 30.02 (Penal Code 30)