The bill amends various sections of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Education Code, and Family Code to redefine the age parameters for juvenile court jurisdiction and the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Specifically, it raises the minimum age for a child to be defined as someone who is at least 13 years old and younger than 17 years old, replacing the previous minimum 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 any adjudication can occur.

Furthermore, the bill 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 bill also repeals certain existing provisions related to juvenile jurisdiction and criminal responsibility. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and training for law enforcement and juvenile justice personnel will be updated to reflect these new legal standards.

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