Texas HB4579 increases penalties for selling, distributing, or displaying harmful material to minors and for child sexual performances.

HB4579 amends Texas law to increase criminal penalties for offenses involving the sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to minors and for sexual performances by children. The bill specifies that such offenses are now felonies of the first degree, with a second-degree felony designation if the victim is under 14 years old. It also removes certain defenses and repeals a subsection related to these offenses. The changes apply to offenses committed after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Texas HB4579 increases penalties for selling, distributing, or displaying harmful material to minors and for child sexual performances.

HB4579 amends Texas law to increase criminal penalties for offenses involving the sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to minors and for sexual performances by children. The bill specifies that such offenses are now felonies of the first degree, with a second-degree felony designation if the victim is under 14 years old. It also removes certain defenses and repeals a subsection related to these offenses. The changes apply to offenses committed after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.