ASSAULTIVE OFFENSES

Tex. PENAL Code ch. 22
in effect

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.01. ASSAULT.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person: (1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another, including the person's spouse; (2) intentionally or knowingly threatens another with imminent bodily injury, including the person's spouse; or (3) intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative. (b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed against: (1) a person the actor knows is a public servant while the public servant is lawfully discharging an official duty, or in retaliation or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty as a public servant; (2) a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021 (b), 71.003 , or 71.005 , Family Code, if: (A) it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense that was committed: (i) against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021 (b), 71.003 , or 71.005 , Family Code; and (ii) under: (a) this chapter, Chapter 19, or Section 20.03, 20.04, 21.11, or 25.11; (b) Section 25.07 , if the applicable violation was based on the commission of family violence as described by Subsection (a)(1) of that section; or (c) Section 25.072 , if any of the applicable violations were based on the commission of family violence as described by Section 25.07 (a)(1); or (B) the offense is committed by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth; (3) a person who contracts with government to perform a service in a facility described by Section 1.07 (a)(14), Penal Code, or Section 51.02 (13) or (14), Family Code, or an employee of that person: (A) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract, if the actor knows the person or employee is authorized by government to provide the service; or (B) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of the contract; (4) a person the actor knows is a security officer while the officer is performing a duty as a security officer; (5) a person the actor knows is emergency services personnel while the person is providing emergency services; (6) a person the actor knows is a process server while the person is performing a duty as a process server; (7) a pregnant individual to force the individual to have an abortion; (8) a person the actor knows is pregnant at the time of the offense; (9) a person the actor knows is hospital personnel while the person is located on hospital property, including all land and buildings owned or leased by the hospital; or (10) a person the actor knows or reasonably should know is an employee or agent of a utility while the person is performing a duty within the scope of that employment or agency. (b-1) Notwithstanding Subsections (b) and (c), an offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed: (1) by an actor who is committed to a civil commitment facility; and (2) against: (A) a person the actor knows is an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office: (i) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty; or (ii) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty by the officer or employee; or (B) a person the actor knows is contracting with the state to perform a service in a civil commitment facility or an employee of that person: (i) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract; or (ii) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of the contract. (b-2) Notwithstanding Subsection (b)(1), an offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the second degree if the offense is committed against a person the actor knows is a peace officer or judge while the officer or judge is lawfully discharging an official duty or in retaliation or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty as a peace officer or judge. (b-3) Notwithstanding Subsection (b)(2), an offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the second degree if: (1) the offense is committed against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021 (b), 71.003 , or 71.005 , Family Code; (2) it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense that was committed: (A) against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021 (b), 71.003 , or 71.005 , Family Code; and (B) under: (i) this chapter, Chapter 19 , or Section 20.03 , 20.04 , 21.11 , or 25.11 ; (ii) Section 25.07 , if the applicable violation was based on the commission of family violence as described by Subsection (a)(1) of that section; or (iii) Section 25.072 , if any of the applicable violations were based on the commission of family violence as described by Section 25.07 (a)(1); and (3) the offense is committed by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth. (b-4) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), an offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the actor committed the offense in the course of committing an offense under Section 20.05 (a)(2). (c) An offense under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) is a Class C misdemeanor, except that the offense is: (1) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is committed under Subsection (a)(3) against an elderly individual or disabled individual, as those terms are defined by Section 22.04 ; (2) a Class B misdemeanor if the offense is committed by a person who is not a sports participant against a person the actor knows is a sports participant either: (A) while the participant is performing duties or responsibilities in the participant's capacity as a sports participant; or (B) in retaliation for or on account of the participant's performance of a duty or responsibility within the participant's capacity as a sports participant; or (3) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is committed against a pregnant individual to force the individual to have an abortion. (d) For purposes of Subsection (b), the actor is presumed to have known the person assaulted was a public servant, a security officer, an employee or agent of a utility, or emergency services personnel if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's employment, agency, or status, as applicable. (d-1) The actor is presumed to have known the person assaulted was a person described by Subsection (b-1)(2)(A) or (B), as applicable, if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's status as an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a contractor or employee of a contractor performing a service in a civil commitment facility. (e) In this section: (1) "Emergency services personnel" includes firefighters, emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003 , Health and Safety Code, emergency room personnel, and other individuals who, in the course and scope of employment or as a volunteer, provide services for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. (1-a) "Hospital personnel" includes nurses, physicians, physician assistants, maintenance or janitorial staff, receptionists, and other individuals who are employed by or work in a facility that is licensed as a general hospital or special hospital, as those terms are defined by Section 241.003 , Health and Safety Code, including a hospital maintained or operated by the state. (2) "Process server" has the meaning assigned by Section 156.001 , Government Code. (3) "Security officer" means a commissioned security officer as defined by Section 1702.002 , Occupations Code, or a noncommissioned security officer registered under Section 1702.221 , Occupations Code. (4) "Sports participant" means a person who participates in any official capacity with respect to an interscholastic, intercollegiate, or other organized amateur or professional athletic competition and includes an athlete, referee, umpire, linesman, coach, instructor, administrator, or staff member. (5) "Utility" means: (A) an electric utility, as defined by Section 31.002 , Utilities Code; (B) a telecommunications provider, as defined by Section 51.002 , Utilities Code; (C) a cable service provider or video service provider, as defined by Section 66.002 , Utilities Code; (D) a gas utility, as defined by Section 101.003 , Utilities Code, which for the purposes of this subsection includes a municipally owned utility as defined by that section; (E) a gas utility, as defined by Section 121.001 , Utilities Code; (F) a pipeline used for the transportation or sale of oil, gas, or related products; or (G) an electric cooperative or municipally owned utility, as defined by Section 11.003 , Utilities Code. (f) For the purposes of Subsections (b)(2)(A) and (b-3)(2): (1) a defendant has been previously convicted of an offense listed in those subsections committed against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021 (b), 71.003 , or 71.005 , Family Code, if the defendant was adjudged guilty of the offense or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in return for a grant of deferred adjudication, regardless of whether the sentence for the offense was ever imposed or whether the sentence was probated and the defendant was subsequently discharged from community supervision; and (2) a conviction under the laws of another state for an offense containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed in those subsections is a conviction of the offense listed. (g) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the actor may be prosecuted under either section or both sections. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., 1st C.S., p. 55, ch. 2, Sec. 12, 13, eff. July 22, 1977; Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 260, ch. 135, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 367, ch. 164, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1979; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5311, ch. 977, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1052, Sec. 2.08, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 739, Sec. 1 to 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 284(23) to (26), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 334, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 366, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 27.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 318, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 659, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 27.01, 31.01(68), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 15.02(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1158, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 294, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1019, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1028, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 427 (H.B. 2066 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 665 (H.B. 2240 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 875 (H.B. 705 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.02. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person commits assault as defined in Sec. 22.01 and the person: (1) causes serious bodily injury to another, including the person's spouse; or (2) uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault. (b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree, except that the offense is a felony of the first degree if: (1) the actor uses a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault and causes: (A) serious bodily injury to a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021 (b), 71.003 , or 71.005 , Family Code; or (B) a traumatic brain or spine injury to another that results in a persistent vegetative state or irreversible paralysis; (2) regardless of whether the offense is committed under Subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2), the offense is committed: (A) by a public servant acting under color of the servant's office or employment; (B) against a person the actor knows is a public servant while the public servant is lawfully discharging an official duty, or in retaliation or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty as a public servant; (C) in retaliation against or on account of the service of another as a witness, prospective witness, informant, or person who has reported the occurrence of a crime; (D) against a person the actor knows is a process server while the person is performing a duty as a process server; (E) against a person the actor knows is a security officer while the officer is performing a duty as a security officer; or (F) by an actor who is committed to a civil commitment facility, against: (i) a person the actor knows is an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office: (a) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty; or (b) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty by the officer or employee; or (ii) a person the actor knows is contracting with the state to perform a service in a civil commitment facility or an employee of that person: (a) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract; or (b) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of the contract; (3) the actor is inside of or directly en route to or from a motor vehicle, as defined by Section 501.002 , Transportation Code, and: (A) knowingly discharges a firearm at or in the direction of a habitation, building, or vehicle; (B) is reckless as to whether the habitation, building, or vehicle is occupied; and (C) in discharging the firearm: (i) causes bodily injury to any person or damage to any property; or (ii) places any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or (4) the actor commits the assault as part of a mass shooting. (c) The actor is presumed to have known the person assaulted was a public servant or a security officer if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's employment as a public servant or status as a security officer. (c-1) The actor is presumed to have known the person assaulted was a person described by Subsection (b)(2)(F)(i) or (ii), as applicable, if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's status as an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a contractor or employee of a contractor performing a service in a civil commitment facility. (d) In this section: (1) "Process server" has the meaning assigned by Section 156.001 , Government Code. (2) "Security officer" means a commissioned security officer as defined by Section 1702.002 , Occupations Code, or a noncommissioned security officer registered under Section 1702.221 , Occupations Code. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 367, ch. 164, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1979; Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1521, ch. 655, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1979; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 349, ch. 79, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5311, ch. 977, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 223, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 18, Sec. 3, eff. April 14, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1101, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 939, Sec. 1 to 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 334, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 903, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1019, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 594 (H.B. 176 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.04. INJURY TO A CHILD, ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL, OR DISABLED INDIVIDUAL.

(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, by act or intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly by omission, causes to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual: (1) serious bodily injury; (2) serious mental deficiency, impairment, or injury; or (3) bodily injury. (a-1) A person commits an offense if the person is an owner, operator, or employee of a group home, nursing facility, assisted living facility, boarding home facility, intermediate care facility for persons with an intellectual or developmental disability, or other institutional care facility and the person intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence by omission causes to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual who is a resident of that group home or facility: (1) serious bodily injury; (2) serious mental deficiency, impairment, or injury; or (3) bodily injury. (b) An omission that causes a condition described by Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) or (a-1)(1), (2), or (3) is conduct constituting an offense under this section if: (1) the actor has a legal or statutory duty to act; or (2) the actor has assumed care, custody, or control of a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual. (c) In this section: (1) "Child" means a person 14 years of age or younger. (2) "Elderly individual" means a person 65 years of age or older. (3) "Disabled individual" means a person: (A) with one or more of the following: (i) autism spectrum disorder, as defined by Section 1355.001 , Insurance Code; (ii) developmental disability, as defined by Section 112.042 , Human Resources Code; (iii) intellectual disability, as defined by Section 591.003 , Health and Safety Code; (iv) severe emotional disturbance, as defined by Section 261.001 , Family Code; (v) traumatic brain injury, as defined by Section 92.001 , Health and Safety Code; or (vi) mental illness, as defined by Section 571.003 , Health and Safety Code; or (B) who otherwise by reason of age or physical or mental disease, defect, or injury is substantially unable to protect the person's self from harm or to provide food, shelter, or medical care for the person's self. (4) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 620, Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2011. (d) For purposes of an omission that causes a condition described by Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3), the actor has assumed care, custody, or control if the actor has by act, words, or course of conduct acted so as to cause a reasonable person to conclude that the actor has accepted responsibility for protection, food, shelter, or medical care for a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual. For purposes of an omission that causes a condition described by Subsection (a-1)(1), (2), or (3), the actor acting during the actor's capacity as owner, operator, or employee of a group home or facility described by Subsection (a-1) is considered to have accepted responsibility for protection, food, shelter, or medical care for the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual who is a resident of the group home or facility. (e) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) or (2) or (a-1)(1) or (2) is a felony of the first degree when the conduct is committed intentionally or knowingly. When the conduct is engaged in recklessly, the offense is a felony of the second degree. (f) An offense under Subsection (a)(3) or (a-1)(3) is a felony of the third degree when the conduct is committed intentionally or knowingly, except that an offense under Subsection (a)(3) is a felony of the second degree when the conduct is committed intentionally or knowingly and the victim is a disabled individual residing in a center, as defined by Section 555.001 , Health and Safety Code, or in a facility licensed under Chapter 252 , Health and Safety Code, and the actor is an employee of the center or facility whose employment involved providing direct care for the victim. When the conduct is engaged in recklessly, the offense is a state jail felony. (g) An offense under Subsection (a) is a state jail felony when the person acts with criminal negligence. An offense under Subsection (a-1) is a state jail felony when the person, with criminal negligence and by omission, causes a condition described by Subsection (a-1)(1), (2), or (3). (h) A person who is subject to prosecution under both this section and another section of this code may be prosecuted under either or both sections. Section 3.04 does not apply to criminal episodes prosecuted under both this section and another section of this code. If a criminal episode is prosecuted under both this section and another section of this code and sentences are assessed for convictions under both sections, the sentences shall run concurrently. (i) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (b)(2) that before the offense the actor: (1) notified in person the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual that the actor would no longer provide the applicable care described by Subsection (d), and notified in writing the parents or a person, other than the actor, acting in loco parentis to the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual that the actor would no longer provide the applicable care described by Subsection (d); or (2) notified in writing the Department of Family and Protective Services that the actor would no longer provide the applicable care described by Subsection (d). (j) Written notification under Subsection (i)(2) or (i)(3) is not effective unless it contains the name and address of the actor, the name and address of the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, the type of care provided by the actor, and the date the care was discontinued. (k) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the act or omission consisted of: (1) reasonable medical care occurring under the direction of or by a licensed physician; or (2) emergency medical care administered in good faith and with reasonable care by a person not licensed in the healing arts. (l) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section: (1) that the act or omission was based on treatment in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized religious method of healing with a generally accepted record of efficacy; (2) for a person charged with an act of omission causing to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual a condition described by Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) that: (A) there is no evidence that, on the date prior to the offense charged, the defendant was aware of an incident of injury to the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual and failed to report the incident; and (B) the person: (i) was a victim of family violence, as that term is defined by Section 71.004 , Family Code, committed by a person who is also charged with an offense against the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual under this section or any other section of this title; (ii) did not cause a condition described by Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3); and (iii) did not reasonably believe at the time of the omission that an effort to prevent the person also charged with an offense against the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual from committing the offense would have an effect; or (3) that: (A) the actor was not more than three years older than the victim at the time of the offense; and (B) the victim was a nondisabled or disabled child at the time of the offense. (m) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsections (a)(1), (2), and (3) for injury to a disabled individual that the person did not know and could not reasonably have known that the individual was a disabled individual, as defined by Subsection (c), at the time of the offense. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2067, ch. 819, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1977; Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 365, ch. 162, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 472, ch. 202, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2397, ch. 604, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 357, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 497, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 8.139, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 15.02(b), eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 284 (S.B. 643 ), Sec. 38, eff. June 11, 2009. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 620 (S.B. 688 ), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 620 (S.B. 688 ), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2011.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.05. DEADLY CONDUCT.

(a) A person commits an offense if he recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury. (b) A person commits an offense if he knowingly discharges a firearm at or in the direction of: (1) one or more individuals; or (2) a habitation, building, or vehicle and is reckless as to whether the habitation, building, or vehicle is occupied. (c) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, recklessness and danger are presumed if the actor knowingly pointed a firearm at or in the direction of another whether or not the actor believed the firearm to be loaded. The presumption under this subsection does not apply to a peace officer engaged in the lawful discharge of the officer's official duties. (d) For purposes of this section, "building," "habitation," and "vehicle" have the meanings assigned those terms by Section 30.01 . (e) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor. An offense under Subsection (b) is a felony of the third degree. (f) Subsection (b)(1) does not apply to a peace officer if, at the time of the offense, the officer: (1) was engaged in the actual discharge of the officer's official duties; and (2) reasonably believed the discharge of the officer's firearm was justified under Chapter 9 . Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.06. CONSENT AS DEFENSE TO ASSAULTIVE CONDUCT.

(a) The victim's effective consent or the actor's reasonable belief that the victim consented to the actor's conduct is a defense to prosecution under Section 22.01 (Assault), 22.02 (Aggravated Assault), or 22.05 (Deadly Conduct) if: (1) the conduct did not threaten or inflict serious bodily injury; or (2) the victim knew the conduct was a risk of: (A) his occupation; (B) recognized medical treatment; or (C) a scientific experiment conducted by recognized methods. (b) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (a) is not available to a defendant who commits an offense described by Subsection (a) as a condition of the defendant's or the victim's initiation or continued membership in a criminal street gang, as defined by Section 71.01 . Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.07. TERRORISTIC THREAT.

(a) A person commits an offense if he threatens to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to: (1) cause a reaction of any type to his threat by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies; (2) place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; (3) prevent or interrupt the occupation or use of a building, room, place of assembly, place to which the public has access, place of employment or occupation, aircraft, automobile, or other form of conveyance, or other public place; (4) cause impairment or interruption of public communications, public transportation, public water, gas, or power supply or other public service; (5) place the public or a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury; or (6) influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state. (b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class B misdemeanor. (c) An offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the offense: (1) is committed against a member of the person's family or household or otherwise constitutes family violence; or (2) is committed against a public servant. (c-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(2), an offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a state jail felony if the offense is committed against a person the actor knows is a peace officer or judge. (d) An offense under Subsection (a)(3) is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the actor causes pecuniary loss of $1,500 or more to the owner of the building, room, place, or conveyance, in which event the offense is a state jail felony. (e) An offense under Subsection (a)(4), (a)(5), or (a)(6) is a felony of the third degree. (f) In this section: (1) "Family" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.003 , Family Code. (2) "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.004 , Family Code. (3) "Household" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.005 , Family Code. (g) For purposes of Subsection (d), the amount of pecuniary loss is the amount of economic loss suffered by the owner of the building, room, place, or conveyance as a result of the prevention or interruption of the occupation or use of the building, room, place, or conveyance. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1114, ch. 530, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 139, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 446, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Reenacted and amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018 ), Sec. 16.003, eff. September 1, 2005.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.08. AIDING SUICIDE.

(a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to promote or assist the commission of suicide by another, he aids or attempts to aid the other to commit or attempt to commit suicide. (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor unless the actor's conduct causes suicide or attempted suicide that results in serious bodily injury, in which event the offense is a state jail felony. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.09. TAMPERING WITH CONSUMER PRODUCT.

(a) In this section: (1) "Consumer Product" means any product offered for sale to or for consumption by the public and includes "food" and "drugs" as those terms are defined in Section 431.002 , Health and Safety Code. (2) "Tamper" means to alter or add a foreign substance to a consumer product to make it probable that the consumer product will cause serious bodily injury. (b) A person commits an offense if he knowingly or intentionally tampers with a consumer product knowing that the consumer product will be offered for sale to the public or as a gift to another. (c) A person commits an offense if he knowingly or intentionally threatens to tamper with a consumer product with the intent to cause fear, to affect the sale of the consumer product, or to cause bodily injury to any person. (d) An offense under Subsection (b) is a felony of the second degree unless a person suffers serious bodily injury, in which event it is a felony of the first degree. An offense under Subsection (c) is a felony of the third degree. Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 2812, ch. 481, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1008, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 284(32), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.10. LEAVING A CHILD IN A VEHICLE.

(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly leaves a child in a motor vehicle for longer than five minutes, knowing that the child is: (1) younger than seven years of age; and (2) not attended by an individual in the vehicle who is 14 years of age or older. (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Added by Acts 1984, 68th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 24, Sec. 1, eff. Oct. 2, 1984. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.11. HARASSMENT BY PERSONS IN CERTAIN FACILITIES; HARASSMENT OF PUBLIC SERVANT.

(a) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to assault, harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass the person: (1) while imprisoned or confined in a correctional or detention facility, causes another person to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of the actor, any other person, or an animal, or any other fluid or liquid; (2) while committed to a civil commitment facility, causes: (A) an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of the actor, any other person, or an animal, or any other fluid or liquid: (i) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty at a civil commitment facility; or (ii) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty by the officer or employee; or (B) a person who contracts with the state to perform a service in the facility or an employee of that person to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of the actor, any other person, or an animal, or any other fluid or liquid: (i) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract, if the actor knows the person or employee is authorized by the state to provide the service; or (ii) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of the contract; or (3) causes another person the actor knows to be a public servant to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of the actor, any other person, or an animal, or any other fluid or liquid, while the public servant is lawfully discharging an official duty or in retaliation or on account of an exercise of the public servant's official power or performance of an official duty. (b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree. (c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the actor may be prosecuted under either section. (d) In this section, "correctional or detention facility" means: (1) a secure correctional facility; or (2) a "secure correctional facility" or a "secure detention facility" as defined by Section 51.02 , Family Code, operated by or under contract with a juvenile board or the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or any other facility operated by or under contract with that department. (e) For purposes of Subsection (a)(3), the actor is presumed to have known the person was a public servant if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's employment as a public servant. (f) For purposes of Subsection (a)(2), the actor is presumed to have known the person was an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a person who contracts with the state to perform a service in a civil commitment facility or an employee of that person, as applicable, if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's status as an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a contractor or employee of a contractor performing a service in a civil commitment facility. (g) It is not a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the actor warned any person that the actor intended to violate Subsection (a). Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 335, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 878, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1006, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.011. SEXUAL ASSAULT.

(a) A person commits an offense if: (1) the person intentionally or knowingly: (A) causes the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of another person by any means, without that person's consent; (B) causes the penetration of the mouth of another person by the sexual organ of the actor, without that person's consent; or (C) causes the sexual organ of another person, without that person's consent, to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; or (2) regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child at the time of the offense, the person intentionally or knowingly: (A) causes the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of a child by any means; (B) causes the penetration of the mouth of a child by the sexual organ of the actor; (C) causes the sexual organ of a child to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; (D) causes the anus of a child to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; or (E) causes the mouth of a child to contact the anus or sexual organ of another person, including the actor. (b) A sexual assault under Subsection (a)(1) is without the consent of the other person if: (1) the actor compels the other person to submit or participate by the use of physical force, violence, or coercion; (2) the actor compels the other person to submit or participate by threatening to use force or violence against the other person or to cause harm to the other person, and the other person believes that the actor has the present ability to execute the threat; (3) the other person has not consented and the actor knows the other person is unconscious or physically unable to resist; (4) the actor knows that as a result of mental disease or defect the other person is at the time of the sexual assault incapable either of appraising the nature of the act or of resisting it; (5) the other person has not consented and the actor knows the other person is unaware that the sexual assault is occurring; (6) the actor knows that the other person is intoxicated or impaired by any substance to the extent that the other person is incapable of consenting; (7) the actor compels the other person to submit or participate by threatening to use force or violence against any person, and the other person believes that the actor has the ability to execute the threat; (8) the actor is a public servant who coerces the other person to submit or participate; (9) the actor is a mental health services provider or a health care services provider who causes the other person, who is a patient or former patient of the actor, to submit or participate by exploiting the other person's emotional dependency on the actor; (10) the actor is a clergyman who causes the other person to submit or participate by exploiting the other person's emotional dependency on the clergyman in the clergyman's professional character as spiritual adviser; (11) the actor is an employee of a facility where the other person is a resident, unless the employee and resident are formally or informally married to each other under Chapter 2 , Family Code; (12) the actor is a health care services provider who, in the course of performing an assisted reproduction procedure on the other person, uses human reproductive material from a donor knowing that the other person has not expressly consented to the use of material from that donor; (13) the actor is a coach or tutor who causes the other person to submit or participate by using the actor's power or influence to exploit the other person's dependency on the actor; or (14) the actor is a caregiver hired to assist the other person with activities of daily life and causes the other person to submit or participate by exploiting the other person's dependency on the actor. (c) In this section: (1) "Child" means a person younger than 17 years of age. (1-a) "Consent" has the meaning assigned by Section 1.07 . (2) "Spouse" means a person who is legally married to another. (3) "Health care services provider" means: (A) a physician licensed under Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code; (B) a chiropractor licensed under Chapter 201 , Occupations Code; (C) a physical therapist licensed under Chapter 453 , Occupations Code; (D) a physician assistant licensed under Chapter 204 , Occupations Code; (E) a registered nurse, a vocational nurse, or an advanced practice nurse licensed under Chapter 301 , Occupations Code; or (F) a massage therapist licensed under Chapter 455 , Occupations Code. (4) "Mental health services provider" means an individual, licensed or unlicensed, who performs or purports to perform mental health services, including a: (A) licensed social worker as defined by Section 505.002 , Occupations Code; (B) chemical dependency counselor as defined by Section 504.001 , Occupations Code; (C) licensed professional counselor as defined by Section 503.002 , Occupations Code; (D) licensed marriage and family therapist as defined by Section 502.002 , Occupations Code; (E) member of the clergy; (F) psychologist offering psychological services as defined by Section 501.003 , Occupations Code; or (G) special officer for mental health assignment certified under Section 1701.404 , Occupations Code. (5) "Employee of a facility" means a person who is an employee of a facility defined by Section 250.001 , Health and Safety Code, or any other person who provides services for a facility for compensation, including a contract laborer. (6) "Assisted reproduction" and "donor" have the meanings assigned by Section 160.102 , Family Code. (7) "Human reproductive material" means: (A) a human spermatozoon or ovum; or (B) a human organism at any stage of development from fertilized ovum to embryo. (d) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(2) that the conduct consisted of medical care for the child and did not include any contact between the anus or sexual organ of the child and the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of the actor or a third party. (e) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(2): (1) that the actor was the spouse of the child at the time of the offense; or (2) that: (A) the actor was not more than three years older than the victim and at the time of the offense: (i) was not required under Chapter 62 , Code of Criminal Procedure, to register for life as a sex offender; or (ii) was not a person who under Chapter 62 , Code of Criminal Procedure, had a reportable conviction or adjudication for an offense under this section; and (B) the victim: (i) was a child of 14 years of age or older; and (ii) was not: (a) a person whom the actor was prohibited from marrying or purporting to marry or with whom the actor was prohibited from living under the appearance of being married under Section 25.01 ; or (b) a person with whom the actor was prohibited from engaging in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse under Section 25.02 . (f) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree, except that an offense under this section is: (1) a felony of the first degree if the victim was: (A) a person whom the actor was prohibited from marrying or purporting to marry or with whom the actor was prohibited from living under the appearance of being married under Section 25.01 ; or (B) a person with whom the actor was prohibited from engaging in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse under Section 25.02 ; or (2) a state jail felony if the offense is committed under Subsection (a)(1) and the actor has not received express consent as described by Subsection (b)(12). Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5312, ch. 977, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1983. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 557, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1029, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 662, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 273, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 318, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1031, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1286, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1102, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1415, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.829, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 155, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 528, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 553, Sec. 2.017, eff. Feb. 1, 2004. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 260 (H.B. 549 ), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 260 (H.B. 549 ), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2009.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.12. APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN CONDUCT.

This chapter does not apply to conduct charged as having been committed against an individual who is an unborn child if the conduct is: (1) committed by the mother of the unborn child; (2) a lawful medical procedure performed by a physician or other health care provider with the requisite consent; (3) a lawful medical procedure performed by a physician or other licensed health care provider with the requisite consent as part of an assisted reproduction as defined by Section 160.102 , Family Code; or (4) the dispensation of a drug in accordance with law or administration of a drug prescribed in accordance with law. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 822, Sec. 2.04, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.012. INDECENT ASSAULT.

(a) A person commits an offense if, without the other person's consent and with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, the person: (1) touches the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of another person; (2) touches another person with the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of any person; (3) exposes or attempts to expose another person's genitals, pubic area, anus, buttocks, or female areola; or (4) causes another person to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of any person. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 596 (H.B. 2593 ), Sec. 1 (b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is: (1) a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that: (A) the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this section, other than an offense punishable under Paragraph (B); or (B) the defendant is a health care services provider or a mental health services provider and the act is: (i) committed during the course of providing a treatment or service to the victim; and (ii) beyond the scope of generally accepted practices for the treatment or service; (2) a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this section that is punishable under Subdivision (1)(B); or (3) a felony of the second degree if the victim is a disabled individual or an elderly individual. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1145 (S.B. 1610 ), Sec. 4 (b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is: (1) a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that: (A) the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this section, other than an offense punishable under Paragraph (B); or (B) the defendant is a health care services provider or a mental health services provider and the act is: (i) committed during the course of providing a treatment or service to the victim; and (ii) beyond the scope of generally accepted practices for the treatment or service; (2) a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this section that is punishable under Subdivision (1)(B); or (3) a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed by an actor who is committed to a civil commitment facility, against: (A) a person the actor knows is an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office: (i) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty; or (ii) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty by the officer or employee; or (B) a person the actor knows is contracting with the state to perform a service in a civil commitment facility or an employee of that person: (i) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract; or (ii) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of the contract. (c) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both. (d) In this section: (1) "Disabled individual" and "elderly individual" have the meanings assigned by Section 22.04 . (2) "Health care services provider" and "mental health services provider" have the meanings assigned by Section 22.011 . Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 955 (S.B. 194 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.021. AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT.

(a) A person commits an offense: (1) if the person: (A) intentionally or knowingly: (i) causes the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of another person by any means, without that person's consent; (ii) causes the penetration of the mouth of another person by the sexual organ of the actor, without that person's consent; or (iii) causes the sexual organ of another person, without that person's consent, to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; or (B) regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child at the time of the offense, intentionally or knowingly: (i) causes the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of a child by any means; (ii) causes the penetration of the mouth of a child by the sexual organ of the actor; (iii) causes the sexual organ of a child to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; (iv) causes the anus of a child to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; or (v) causes the mouth of a child to contact the anus or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; and (2) if: (A) the person: (i) causes serious bodily injury or attempts to cause the death of the victim or another person in the course of the same criminal episode; (ii) by acts or words places the victim in fear that any person will become the victim of an offense under Section 20A.02 (a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) or that death, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping will be imminently inflicted on any person; (iii) by acts or words occurring in the presence of the victim threatens to cause any person to become the victim of an offense under Section 20A.02 (a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) or to cause the death, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping of any person; (iv) uses or exhibits a deadly weapon in the course of the same criminal episode; (v) acts in concert with another who engages in conduct described by Subdivision (1) directed toward the same victim and occurring during the course of the same criminal episode; or (vi) with the intent of facilitating the commission of the offense, administers or provides to the victim of the offense any substance capable of impairing the victim's ability to appraise the nature of the act or to resist the act; (B) the victim is younger than 14 years of age, regardless of whether the person knows the age of the victim at the time of the offense; or (C) the victim is an elderly individual or a disabled individual. (b) In this section: (1) "Child" has the meaning assigned by Section 22.011 (c). (2) "Elderly individual" has the meaning assigned by Section 22.04 (c). (3) "Disabled individual" means a person older than 13 years of age who by reason of age or physical or mental disease, defect, or injury is substantially unable to protect the person's self from harm or to provide food, shelter, or medical care for the person's self. (c) An aggravated sexual assault under this section is without the consent of the other person if the aggravated sexual assault occurs under the same circumstances listed in Section 22.011 (b). (d) The defense provided by Section 22.011 (d) applies to this section. (e) An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree. (f) The minimum term of imprisonment for an offense under this section is increased to 25 years if: (1) the victim of the offense is younger than 10 years of age at the time the offense is committed; or (2) the victim of the offense is younger than 14 years of age at the time the offense is committed and the actor commits the offense in a manner described by Subsection (a)(2)(A). Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5312, ch. 977, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1983. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 573, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 16, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 318, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1286, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 417, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 459, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 528, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 896, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 24 ), Sec. 6.05, eff. September 1, 2011.

Tex. PENAL Code § 22.041. ABANDONING OR ENDANGERING A CHILD, ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL, OR DISABLED INDIVIDUAL.

(a) In this section: (1) "Abandon" means to leave in any place without providing reasonable and necessary care a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual under circumstances under which no reasonable, similarly situated person would leave a child or individual of that age and ability. (2) "Child," "elderly individual," and "disabled individual" have the meanings assigned by Section 22.04 . (b) A person commits an offense if the person, having custody, care, or control of a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, intentionally abandons the child or individual in any place under circumstances that expose the child or individual to an unreasonable risk of harm. (c) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, by act or omission, engages in conduct that places a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment. (c-1) For purposes of Subsection (c), it is presumed that a person engaged in conduct that places a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment if: (1) the person manufactured, possessed, or in any way introduced into the body of any person the controlled substance methamphetamine or a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B, Section 481.1022 , Health and Safety Code, in the presence of the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual; (2) the person's conduct related to the proximity or accessibility of the controlled substance methamphetamine or a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B, Section 481.1022 , Health and Safety Code, to the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual and an analysis of a specimen of the child's or individual's blood, urine, or other bodily substance indicates the presence of methamphetamine or a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B in the body of the child or individual; or (3) the person injected, ingested, inhaled, or otherwise introduced a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1, Section 481.102 , Health and Safety Code, or Penalty Group 1-B, Section 481.1022 , Health and Safety Code, into the human body when the person was not in lawful possession of the substance as defined by Section 481.002 (24) of that code. (d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under Subsection (b) is: (1) a state jail felony if the actor abandoned the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual with intent to return for the child or individual; or (2) a felony of the third degree if the actor abandoned the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual without intent to return for the child or individual. (e) An offense under Subsection (b) is a felony of the second degree if the actor abandons the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual under circumstances that a reasonable person would believe would place the child or individual in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment. (f) An offense under Subsection (c) is a state jail felony. (g) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (c) that the act or omission enables the child, elderly individual, or disabled individual to practice for or participate in an organized athletic event and that appropriate safety equipment and procedures are employed in the event. (h) It is an exception to the application of this section for abandoning or endangering a child that the actor voluntarily delivered the child to a designated emergency infant care provider under Section 262.302 , Family Code. Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 791, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 904, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 687, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1087, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 809, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Source: TX Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Fetched: 6/29/2026