HB2407

HB2407 changes two enhancement rules for failing to comply with sex-offender registration requirements. If the specified fact is proved at trial, the offense or attempted offense itself moves to the next highest offense category. Previously, the statute said its punishment increased to the punishment for the next highest degree of felony. The change therefore concerns offense classification, not merely substituting a larger fine or adding a fixed number of years. Final law, Section 1; full registration-offense statute.

The two existing triggers remain: a previous conviction for a registration violation or an attempt to commit one; or fraudulent use of identifying information in violation of Penal Code 32.51 during the current violation or attempt. The second trigger is not simply any inaccurate entry or forgotten update—it requires the specified fraudulent use. HB2407 does not create the underlying duty to register or change every violation into the same felony. Final law; identifying-information offense.

The base registration offense can be a state-jail, third-degree or second-degree felony under Article 62.102(b), depending on the applicable registration duty and verification requirement. The ordinary attempt rule generally places an attempt one category below the intended offense; an attempt at a state-jail felony is a Class A misdemeanor. The revised wording expressly raises an applicable attempted offense to the next category too. These rules do not supply one universal sentence: the facts, underlying category and other applicable sentencing rules matter. Registration-offense statute; attempt rule; felony categories.

The act applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. If any element occurred before that date, the act treats the offense as pre-effective and preserves the former law. A later trial date alone does not bring an earlier offense under the new rule. Final law, Sections 2–3; official history.