Bill Text: TX HB2446 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the criminal penalties for possession of marihuana.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-13 - Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence [HB2446 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB2446-Introduced.html

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88R7856 JSC-F
By: Dutton H.B. No. 2446

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the criminal penalties for possession of marihuana.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 14.06(d), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
(d) Subsection (c) applies only to a person charged with
committing an offense under:
(1) Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, if the
offense is punishable under Subsection (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1)
[(b)(1) or (2)] of that section;
(1-a) Section 481.1161, Health and Safety Code, if the
offense is punishable under Subsection (b)(1) or (2) of that
section;
(2) Section 28.03, Penal Code, if the offense is
punishable under Subsection (b)(2) of that section;
(3) Section 28.08, Penal Code, if the offense is
punishable under Subsection (b)(2) or (3) of that section;
(4) Section 31.03, Penal Code, if the offense is
punishable under Subsection (e)(2)(A) of that section;
(5) Section 31.04, Penal Code, if the offense is
punishable under Subsection (e)(2) of that section;
(6) Section 38.114, Penal Code, if the offense is
punishable as a Class B misdemeanor; or
(7) Section 521.457, Transportation Code.
SECTION 2. Articles 42A.551(a) and (c), Code of Criminal
Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (b) or (c),
on conviction of a state jail felony under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(3), 481.121(b)(4)
[481.121(b)(3)], or 481.129(g)(1), Health and Safety Code, that is
punished under Section 12.35(a), Penal Code, the judge shall
suspend the imposition of the sentence and place the defendant on
community supervision.
(c) Subsection (a) does not apply to a defendant who:
(1) under Section 481.1151(b)(1), Health and Safety
Code, possessed more than five abuse units of the controlled
substance; or
(2) under Section 481.1161(b)(3), Health and Safety
Code, possessed more than one pound, by aggregate weight, including
adulterants or dilutants, of the controlled substance[; or
[(3) under Section 481.121(b)(3), Health and Safety
Code, possessed more than one pound of marihuana].
SECTION 3. Article 45.051, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
(h) This subsection applies only to a defendant charged with
an offense under Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, who is
granted a deferral under Subsection (a) of this section. In
addition to any other requirement, the judge shall, during the
deferral period, require that the defendant successfully complete a
drug abuse awareness and education program approved by the Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation.
SECTION 4. Article 55.01(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) A person who has been placed under a custodial or
noncustodial arrest for commission of either a felony or
misdemeanor is entitled to have all records and files relating to
the arrest expunged if:
(1) the person is tried for the offense for which the
person was arrested and is:
(A) acquitted by the trial court, except as
provided by Subsection (c);
(B) convicted and subsequently:
(i) pardoned for a reason other than that
described by Subparagraph (ii); or
(ii) pardoned or otherwise granted relief
on the basis of actual innocence with respect to that offense, if
the applicable pardon or court order clearly indicates on its face
that the pardon or order was granted or rendered on the basis of the
person's actual innocence; [or]
(C) convicted of an offense committed before
September 1, 2021, under Section 46.02(a), Penal Code, as that
section existed before that date; or
(D) convicted of an offense committed before
September 1, 2023, under Section 481.121(b)(1), Health and Safety
Code, as that section existed before that date; or
(2) the person has been released and the charge, if
any, has not resulted in a final conviction and is no longer pending
and there was no court-ordered community supervision under Chapter
42A for the offense, unless the offense is a Class C misdemeanor,
provided that:
(A) regardless of whether any statute of
limitations exists for the offense and whether any limitations
period for the offense has expired, an indictment or information
charging the person with the commission of a misdemeanor offense
based on the person's arrest or charging the person with the
commission of any felony offense arising out of the same
transaction for which the person was arrested:
(i) has not been presented against the
person at any time following the arrest, and:
(a) at least 180 days have elapsed
from the date of arrest if the arrest for which the expunction was
sought was for an offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor and if
there was no felony charge arising out of the same transaction for
which the person was arrested;
(b) at least one year has elapsed from
the date of arrest if the arrest for which the expunction was sought
was for an offense punishable as a Class B or A misdemeanor and if
there was no felony charge arising out of the same transaction for
which the person was arrested;
(c) at least three years have elapsed
from the date of arrest if the arrest for which the expunction was
sought was for an offense punishable as a felony or if there was a
felony charge arising out of the same transaction for which the
person was arrested; or
(d) the attorney representing the
state certifies that the applicable arrest records and files are
not needed for use in any criminal investigation or prosecution,
including an investigation or prosecution of another person; or
(ii) if presented at any time following the
arrest, was dismissed or quashed, and the court finds that the
indictment or information was dismissed or quashed because:
(a) the person completed a veterans
treatment court program created under Chapter 124, Government Code,
or former law, subject to Subsection (a-3);
(b) the person completed a mental
health court program created under Chapter 125, Government Code, or
former law, subject to Subsection (a-4);
(c) the person completed a pretrial
intervention program authorized under Section 76.011, Government
Code, other than a veterans treatment court program created under
Chapter 124, Government Code, or former law, or a mental health
court program created under Chapter 125, Government Code, or former
law;
(d) the presentment had been made
because of mistake, false information, or other similar reason
indicating absence of probable cause at the time of the dismissal to
believe the person committed the offense; or
(e) the indictment or information was
void; or
(B) prosecution of the person for the offense for
which the person was arrested is no longer possible because the
limitations period has expired.
SECTION 5. Section 2(a), Article 55.02, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
(a) A person who is entitled to expunction of records and
files under Article 55.01(a)(1)(A), 55.01(a)(1)(B)(i),
55.01(a)(1)(C), 55.01(a)(1)(D), or 55.01(a)(2) or a person who is
eligible for expunction of records and files under Article 55.01(b)
may file an ex parte petition for expunction in a district court for
the county in which:
(1) the petitioner was arrested; or
(2) the offense was alleged to have occurred.
SECTION 6. Section 411.0728(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) This section applies only to a person:
(1) who is convicted of or placed on deferred
adjudication community supervision for an offense under:
(A) Section 481.120, Health and Safety Code, if
the offense is punishable under Subsection (b)(1);
(B) Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, if
the offense is punishable under Subsection (b)(2) or (b-1)
[(b)(1)];
(C) Section 31.03, Penal Code, if the offense is
punishable under Subsection (e)(1) or (2); or
(D) Section 43.02, Penal Code; and
(2) who, if requested by the applicable law
enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney to provide assistance in
the investigation or prosecution of an offense under Section
20A.02, 20A.03, or 43.05, Penal Code, or a federal offense
containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements
of an offense under any of those sections:
(A) provided assistance in the investigation or
prosecution of the offense; or
(B) did not provide assistance in the
investigation or prosecution of the offense due to the person's age
or a physical or mental disability resulting from being a victim of
an offense described by this subdivision.
SECTION 7. Section 481.115(h), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(h) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (g) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.1151(b)(1),
481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b), 481.118(b), or
481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an offense under
Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.1151(c), 481.116(f), 481.1161(c),
481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 8. Section 481.1151(d), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(d) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (c) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b), 481.118(b), or
481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an offense under
Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.116(f), 481.1161(c),
481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to
the possible overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 9. Section 481.116(g), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(g) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (f) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b), 481.118(b), or
481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an offense under
Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.1161(c),
481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to
the possible overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 10. Section 481.1161(d), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(d) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (c) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.117(b), 481.118(b), or
481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an offense under
Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to
the possible overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 11. Section 481.117(g), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(g) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (f) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.118(b), or
481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an offense under
Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
481.1161(c), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to
the possible overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 12. Section 481.118(g), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(g) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (f) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b), or
481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an offense under
Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to
the possible overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 13. Section 481.119(d), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(d) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (c) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b),
481.118(b), or 481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an
offense under Section 481.125(a), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.121(c), 481.125(g),
483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to
the possible overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 14. Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection
(b-1) to read as follows:
(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is:
(1) a Class C [B] misdemeanor if the amount of
marihuana possessed is two ounces or less, except as provided by
Subsection (b-1);
(2) a Class B [A] misdemeanor if the amount of
marihuana possessed is four ounces or less but more than two ounces;
(3) a Class A misdemeanor [state jail felony] if the
amount of marihuana possessed is five pounds or less but more than
four ounces;
(4) a state jail felony [of the third degree] if the
amount of marihuana possessed is 50 pounds or less but more than 5
pounds;
(5) a felony of the third [second] degree if the amount
of marihuana possessed is 2,000 pounds or less but more than 50
pounds; and
(6) a felony of the second degree [punishable by
imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life
or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years, and a
fine not to exceed $50,000,] if the amount of marihuana possessed is
more than 2,000 pounds.
(b-1) An offense under Subsection (b)(1) is a Class B
misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the
defendant has been previously convicted three or more times of an
offense involving the possession of marihuana and each prior
offense was committed within the 24-month period preceding the date
of the commission of the instant offense. For purposes of this
subsection, "offense involving the possession of marihuana" means
an offense under this section or an offense under the laws of
another state that contains elements substantially similar to the
elements of an offense under this section.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution for an offense punishable
under Subsection (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)] that the
actor:
(1) was the first person to request emergency medical
assistance in response to the possible overdose of another person
and:
(A) made the request for medical assistance
during an ongoing medical emergency;
(B) remained on the scene until the medical
assistance arrived; and
(C) cooperated with medical assistance and law
enforcement personnel; or
(2) was the victim of a possible overdose for which
emergency medical assistance was requested, by the actor or by
another person, during an ongoing medical emergency.
SECTION 15. Section 481.125(h), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(h) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (g) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b),
481.118(b), or 481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an
offense under Section 481.119(b), 483.041(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 483 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c),
483.041(e), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 16. Section 481.126(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) barters property or expends funds the person knows
are derived from the commission of an offense under this chapter
punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice for life;
(2) barters property or expends funds the person knows
are derived from the commission of an offense under Section
481.121(a) that is punishable under Section 481.121(b)(6)
[481.121(b)(5)];
(3) barters property or finances or invests funds the
person knows or believes are intended to further the commission of
an offense for which the punishment is described by Subdivision
(1); or
(4) barters property or finances or invests funds the
person knows or believes are intended to further the commission of
an offense under Section 481.121(a) that is punishable under
Section 481.121(b)(6) [481.121(b)(5)].
SECTION 17. Section 481.134(c), Health and Safety Code, as
amended by Chapters 584 (S.B. 768) and 807 (H.B. 1540), Acts of the
87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, is reenacted and amended
to read as follows:
(c) The minimum term of confinement or imprisonment for an
offense otherwise punishable under Section 481.112(c), (d), (e), or
(f), 481.1121(b)(2), (3), or (4), 481.1123(c), (d), (e), or (f),
481.113(c), (d), or (e), 481.114(c), (d), or (e), 481.115(c)-(f),
481.1151(b)(2), (3), (4), or (5), 481.116(c), (d), or (e),
481.1161(b)(4), (5), or (6), 481.117(c), (d), or (e), 481.118(c),
(d), or (e), 481.120(b)(4), (5), or (6), or 481.121(b)(5)
[481.121(b)(4), (5),] or (6) is increased by five years and the
maximum fine for the offense is doubled if it is shown on the trial
of the offense that the offense was committed:
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of the premises of a
school, the premises of a public or private youth center, or a
playground;
(2) on a school bus; or
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or
leased by a general residential operation operating as a
residential treatment center.
SECTION 18. Sections 481.134(d), (e), and (f), Health and
Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
(d) An offense otherwise punishable under Section
481.112(b), 481.1121(b)(1), 481.113(b), 481.114(b), 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(3), 481.120(b)(3), or
481.121(b)(4) [481.121(b)(3)] is a felony of the third degree if it
is shown on the trial of the offense that the offense was committed:
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any real property
that is owned, rented, or leased to a school or school board, the
premises of a public or private youth center, or a playground;
(2) on a school bus; or
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or
leased by a general residential operation operating as a
residential treatment center.
(e) An offense otherwise punishable under Section
481.117(b), 481.119(a), 481.120(b)(2), or 481.121(b)(3)
[481.121(b)(2)] is a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial
of the offense that the offense was committed:
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any real property
that is owned, rented, or leased to a school or school board, the
premises of a public or private youth center, or a playground;
(2) on a school bus; or
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or
leased by a general residential operation operating as a
residential treatment center.
(f) An offense otherwise punishable under Section
481.118(b), 481.119(b), 481.120(b)(1), or 481.121(b)(2) or (b-1)
[481.121(b)(1)] is a Class A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial
of the offense that the offense was committed:
(1) in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any real property
that is owned, rented, or leased to a school or school board, the
premises of a public or private youth center, or a playground;
(2) on a school bus; or
(3) by any unauthorized person 18 years of age or
older, in, on, or within 1,000 feet of premises owned, rented, or
leased by a general residential operation operating as a
residential treatment center.
SECTION 19. Section 483.041(f), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(f) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (e) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b),
481.118(b), or 481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an
offense under Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), or 485.031(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 481 or 485;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c),
481.125(g), or 485.031(c); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 20. Section 485.031(d), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(d) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (c) is
not available if:
(1) at the time the request for emergency medical
assistance was made:
(A) a peace officer was in the process of
arresting the actor or executing a search warrant describing the
actor or the place from which the request for medical assistance was
made; or
(B) the actor is committing another offense,
other than an offense punishable under Section 481.115(b),
481.1151(b)(1), 481.116(b), 481.1161(b)(1) or (2), 481.117(b),
481.118(b), or 481.121(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b-1) [(2)], or an
offense under Section 481.119(b), 481.125(a), or 483.041(a);
(2) the actor has been previously convicted of or
placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for an
offense under this chapter or Chapter 481 or 483;
(3) the actor was acquitted in a previous proceeding
in which the actor successfully established the defense under that
subsection or Section 481.115(g), 481.1151(c), 481.116(f),
481.1161(c), 481.117(f), 481.118(f), 481.119(c), 481.121(c),
481.125(g), or 483.041(e); or
(4) at any time during the 18-month period preceding
the date of the commission of the instant offense, the actor
requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible
overdose of the actor or another person.
SECTION 21. The changes in law made by this Act apply only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was
committed before that date.
SECTION 22. To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails
over another Act of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023,
relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted
codes.
SECTION 23. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.