SB 482 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the offenses of assault, harassment, and interference with public duties committed against certain employees or agents of a utility.

SB 482 modifies Texas Penal Code sections to prevent enhanced penalties for assault or harassment against utility employees working in disaster or evacuated areas. It specifically prohibits prosecutors from applying stricter punishments (such as felony charges) under certain circumstances when the victim is a utility worker performing duties during emergencies. The bill directly affects utility company employees, contractors, and agents who provide essential services in crisis zones. This policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, ensuring these workers face standard penalties rather than enhanced ones for related offenses.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2024

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Nov 22, 2024 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MODERATE

This bill strengthens penalties for assaulting or harassing certain protected individuals, including utility employees, emergency services personnel, and pregnant individuals. It expands the list of protected categories and clarifies definitions to ensure broader coverage of essential service workers.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of protected individuals to include additional categories such as security officers, process servers, and specifically protects pregnant individuals from forced abortions. It also adds new definitions for 'utility' to include broadband providers and retail water/sewer utilities.

SCOPE

Added protection for security officers and process servers as protected individuals under assault and harassment statutes.

Added specific protection for pregnant individuals, including provisions against forcing abortion and harassment during pregnancy.

Added new offenses related to interfering with various emergency and public safety personnel, including animal control officers and environmental safety inspectors.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'utility' to include broadband providers and retail water or sewer utility services.

REQUIREMENT

Added a presumption that an actor knew a person was a protected individual if that person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge.

TIMELINE

Established September 1, 2025 as the effective date for the changes in law.

Floor votes · House May 20, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 20, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

May 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

May 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

May 22, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

lower

May 22, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

upper

May 22, 2025

Introduced

House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

upper

May 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

House passage as amended reported

upper

May 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to 3rd reading as amended

lower

May 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

May 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendments

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Justice

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

4 primary · 1 co-sponsor