Relating to the applicability of the death penalty to a capital offense committed by a person with severe mental illness.

HB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.