88R12378 CJD-D
	By: J. Johnson of Harris	H.B. No. 2909

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the imposition of fines and costs for a defendant who is
	younger than 18 years of age.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Articles 45.041(b-3) and (b-6), Code of Criminal
	Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
	(b-3)  A judge may require [allow] a defendant who is a
	child, as defined by Article 45.058(h), [to elect] at the time of
	conviction, as defined by Section 133.101, Local Government Code,
	to receive [discharge the fine and costs by:
	[(1)  performing community service or receiving]
	tutoring under Article 45.0492, as added by Chapter 227 (H.B. 350),
	Acts of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011[; or
	[(2)  paying the fine and costs in a manner described by
	Subsection (b)].
	(b-6)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a-1) or any other
	provision of this chapter, when imposing a fine and costs, the
	justice or judge may not require a defendant who is younger than 18
	years of age [under the conservatorship of the Department of Family
	and Protective Services or in extended foster care as provided by
	Subchapter G, Chapter 263, Family Code,] to pay any amount of the
	fine and costs.  In lieu of the payment of fine and costs, the
	justice or judge may require the defendant to perform community
	service as provided by Article 45.049, 45.0492, as added by Chapter
	227 (H.B. 350), Acts of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session,
	2011, or 45.0492, as added by Chapter 777 (H.B. 1964), Acts of the
	82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, as appropriate.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to a
	sentencing proceeding that commences on or after the effective date
	of this Act, regardless of whether the offense for which the
	defendant is convicted was committed before, on, or after the
	effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.