The bill, S.B. No. 2304, proposes amendments to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Education Code, and Family Code regarding the age at which a juvenile court can exercise jurisdiction over a child and the minimum age of criminal responsibility. It raises the minimum age for a child to be defined as someone who is at least 13 years old and younger than 17, replacing the previous age of 10. Additionally, it introduces a new provision allowing the juvenile court to waive its jurisdiction over children under 13 years of age, requiring a hearing to determine if less restrictive interventions are appropriate before adjudication can occur.

The bill also includes several deletions, such as the removal of specific language regarding citations and the definition of a child in various contexts. It establishes that individuals under 13 years of age cannot be prosecuted for certain offenses, while those aged 13 to 15 are presumed incapable of committing specific offenses unless proven otherwise. The changes will apply only to offenses committed or conduct occurring on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. The bill mandates updates to training for law enforcement and juvenile justice personnel to reflect these changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.141, Family Code 51.02, Penal Code 8.07 (Education Code 37, Penal Code 8, Family Code 51)