Senate Bill No. 3031, introduced by Huffman, amends Section 22.02(b) of the Penal Code regarding the punishment for aggravated assault. The bill establishes that aggravated assault is generally a second-degree felony, but it escalates to a first-degree felony under specific circumstances. These circumstances include the use of a deadly weapon resulting in serious bodily injury to certain individuals, such as family members or public servants, and various retaliatory actions against public servants or witnesses. Notably, the bill introduces new language that specifies that the offense can also be committed while the actor is "inside of or directly en route to or from" a motor vehicle, and it expands the criteria for serious bodily injury to include placing any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury or causing damage to property.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the changes in law will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that any offenses occurring before this date will be governed by the previous law. This provision allows for a smooth transition and maintains legal consistency for past offenses. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the penalties associated with aggravated assault, particularly in situations involving public safety and the use of firearms.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 22.02 (Penal Code 22)
Senate Committee Report: Penal Code 22.02 (Penal Code 22)
Engrossed: Penal Code 22.02 (Penal Code 22)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 22.02 (Penal Code 22)