New Criminal Laws in Texas 2025

As a criminal attorney in Texas, we are paying attention to all the new laws the Texas Legislature has finished up for the season. Here’s a snapshot at a few of them.

Enhanced Penalties for Fentanyl Offenses (HB 6)

Increases penalties for manufacturing or delivering fentanyl. Causing death through distribution can now lead to a murder charge.

Criminalization of Doxxing

Publishing someone’s personal information online with intent to harm is now a criminal offense in Texas.

Increased Penalties for Aggravated Assault (HB 28)

If aggravated assault causes paralysis or vegetative state, it is now a first-degree felony instead of second-degree.

Illegal Voting Penalties (HB 1243)

Illegal voting is now a second-degree felony instead of a misdemeanor.

Prohibition of Gender-Affirming Care for Minors (SB 14)

Bans gender-affirming medical procedures and treatments for individuals under 18.

Social Media Restrictions for Minors (HB 18 – The SCOPE Act)

Requires parental consent for minors to create social media accounts and limits harmful content exposure.

Regulation of Sexually Oriented Performances (SB 12)

Bars sexually oriented performances in front of minors with civil fines up to $10,000 per violation.

Outlawing Temporary Paper License Plates (HB 718)

Beginning July 2025, dealerships must issue metal plates to stop fraud tied to paper tags.

Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB 4)

Gives Texas officials power to arrest and deport migrants entering the state illegally. Law is under legal review.

Regulation of Online Sales of Sex Toys (SB 3003)

Retailers would need to verify customer age via photo ID to sell sex toys online. Penalties include fines and jail time.

Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (HB 4)

Gives Texans more control over their personal data and limits what businesses can do with it.

Revision of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (HB 4504)

Reorganizes and simplifies the criminal procedure code without changing the legal substance.

Establishment of New Judicial Districts (HB 3474)

Creates new court districts to help reduce caseloads in busy Texas counties.

Property Tax Relief through Public School Finance System (SB 2)

Allows state funding to make up for local tax revenue losses in school districts.

Proposed FURRIES Act (HB 4814)

Would ban animal-like behavior and dress (like meowing or tails) in Texas public schools.

Proposed Bills Allowing Healthcare Providers to Refuse Contraceptives (SB 619, HB 2816, SB 1985)

Would allow medical providers to deny contraceptives based on religious or moral beliefs.

Proposed Bail Reform Measures (SB 9 and others)

Seeks to reduce use of cashless bail and hold more defendants, especially undocumented immigrants, in jail pre-trial.

Proposed Increase in Penalties for Vehicle Burglaries Involving Firearm Thefts (HB 727)

Would make stealing firearms from vehicles a felony to reduce violent crime.

Proposed Bill to Combat Oilfield Theft (HB 3707)

Aims to criminalize and increase penalties for theft and illegal activity in oil and gas operations.

HB 910 & SB #11: Open Carry Laws
The open carry handgun law has changed for sharpshooters. Effective January 1, 2016, House Bill 910 now permits folks with concealed handgun licenses to openly carry a firearm in a holster, waist band or girder. Senate Bill No. 11 amends the Texas Government and Penal Codes to allow handgun license holders to carry a concealed handgun on both private and public universities, colleges and other independent higher learning institutions in the Lone Star state. This law will take effect on August 1, 2016. Plus, concealed handgun permits are now valid forms of identification in Texas.

HB 1424: Enhanced Penalties for Repeat Drug Manufacturing Offenders
The laws in Texas continue to get tougher in the state. In the past, the delivery and manufacture of controlled substances was a Class A misdemeanor. Now, if the defendant has a previous conviction for this, the crime is a felony with prison time under House Bill 1424. And if the defendant has two previous convictions for this crime, it is a third degree felony.

HB 1135: Revenge Porn Outlawed
In the world of revenge porn, there are new conditions that make this offense actionable in both criminal and civil court with State Bill 1135. If the visual, intimate material was disclosed without the party’s consent, the disclosure caused harm, the disclosure revealed the identity of the person or the material was not expected to be disclosed, that person can take legal action in both courts. This new law regarding the promotion of intimate visual material went into effect September 1, 2015.

HB 189: Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Extended for Sex Crime Victims
The statute of limitations for personal injury suits arising from sex crimes has increased with House Bill 189. Those parties who want to pursue a personal injury lawsuit from sex crimes like trafficking of persons, prostitution, aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault now have five years before the statute of limitations is in effect. Children who are victims of a sex crime have 15 years to file a claim before the statute runs. And if the abuser has committed a similar sexual offense against 5+ victims, there is no criminal statute of limitations.

HB 2641: Dissemination of Confidential Health Information
It’s now a crime for the dissemination of confidential health information with the intent to violate provisions of the law according to House Bill 2641. The provisions of the law are only intended for confidential health information to be given to proper agencies. If a healthcare official violates this law, it is now designated as a Class A misdemeanor.