The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Texas HB 1602 increases punishment for false child abuse reports motivated by bias or prejudice
Last action · March 12, 2025: Referred to Human ServicesSponsor: Jon Rosenthal
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Proposed
Texas HB 1602 makes a false report of child abuse or neglect a third-degree felony if committed because of bias or prejudice, taking effect September 1, 2025.
Changes criminal penalties for individuals accused of making deceptive child abuse reports, elevating certain offenses from state jail felonies to third-degree felonies based on specific motivational factors.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Individuals making child abuse or neglect reports
Individuals face stricter criminal penalties, categorized as a third-degree felony instead of a state jail felony, if their false report is motivated by bias or prejudice.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for making a false child abuse report under this bill?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Mar 12, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Human Services
- Mar 12, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time
- Dec 12, 2024HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
capitol.texas.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 60)
- Controversy35Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools