Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of indecency with a child.

HB 1271 amends Texas Penal Code Section 21.11 to create a new defense for defendants charged with indecency with a child. It allows a defendant to avoid prosecution if they were no more than three years older than the victim (of the opposite sex), did not use force or threats, and had no prior sex offense conviction or registration requirement under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing convictions or pending cases for prior offenses. This change directly affects defendants who meet all three conditions in qualifying cases.