[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6063115,"mediaKeyId","3270758-84ed705d52eed3a3270d78c259e56559","parentId",3270758,"title","Senate expands felony penalties for endangering children, elderly and disabled by fentanyl (House Bill 166)","audioSeconds",157,"startMs",2898000,"endMs",3055000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3270758-84ed705d52eed3a3270d78c259e56559&start=2898&end=3055","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3270758-84ed705d52eed3a3270d78c259e56559/thumbnail_2898000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063115/Texas/Senate-expands-felony-penalties-for-endangering-children-elderly-and-disabled-by-fentanyl-House-Bill-166","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063115-70111c078a163481aab796fad8fd0b08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985736&Signature=KxGAQCAR2MIHC2DJVxhJs~Y7FrXVfoUFe~PM0q4b1l02AFbELQ~1bpz23ehKMFOEaZxQYBh6vvJHPFcZW3J1HERnDl8i5A5YIjVccMIWWc1rqYLF-jQnRWHKZskjaFwS4uTd3nkyzXj4R8lFE42jhcxXTRi6yH2RfUoKVfdP3S33nvN-KakBRbH6UVrKvtNA-V29uLqctN9BcEttcKcNur39tMSfmduR24soVFQkQnkjApuk40lJPp6kQv-LXLHBKPVwrvsbAU-ScvTijA4zYJhNvCLobdWFBQ8geKqrG-R-4HEr1vB5P8bf88Amd13a1w-s3r7-o6ZUtgBVBnkjIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-05-09T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Hancock presented and the Senate passed House Bill 166, which expands the substances covered by the statute that criminalizes endangering a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual by exposing them to certain controlled substances.

Under existing law, exposing a vulnerable person to methamphetamine in a way that places them in imminent danger can be a state jail felony. House Bill 166 adds fentanyl and related opioids to the penalty group applicable to the offense, bringing them into the penalty group 1B category that already covers fentanyl and similar substances.

\"With this, we strengthen protections to children, elderly individuals, and disabled individuals by expanding the substances listed in the penal code that endangered these vulnerable populations,\" Senator Hancock said on the floor. Sponsors said the change increases penalties in cases where fentanyl exposure places a vulnerable person at imminent risk of death, bodily injury or mental impairment.

The Senate passed the bill on third reading and final passage after suspending rules; the roll call shows final passage with 30 ayes and 1 nay. The bill's caption, as read on the floor, addresses the criminal offense of endangering a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual by engaging in conduct involving a controlled substance.

If enacted, the statute will treat certain fentanyl-related conduct that endangers vulnerable people under the more severe penalty grouping identified in statute; the transcript did not specify retroactivity, sentencing ranges or required changes to charging practices by prosecutors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Session May 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate passed House Bill 166 to add fentanyl and related substances to the penalty group used for prosecutions of endangering a child, elderly person, or disabled person, raising the offense's severity in cases involving those vulnerable populations.","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, Texas","taxId",16215,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063119,"Senate approves Gulf Coast Protection account to fund coastal defenses (House Bill 10 89)",153,6647000,6800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3270758-84ed705d52eed3a3270d78c259e56559&start=6647&end=6800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3270758-84ed705d52eed3a3270d78c259e56559/thumbnail_6647000.jpg","/articles/6063119/Texas/Senate-approves-Gulf-Coast-Protection-account-to-fund-coastal-defenses-House-Bill-10-89","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063119-bd93c09b362fcf5f3e03014dce5a2874/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985736&Signature=bqWkaUUcTquP~zt0Hm28k4VGw1gtoVtFXhjR22Am4XJvx5OgoBz5lw27p8rLgGULJekKzNEHRr0ZgGc~B5Z3rquoxXgKz9M6Av57NRUq5YUa8-4iO05SazozsU7GuMkYCld2TaI5wwsYhuS76Ac02~~BhRu1T0a-HcMkBQ502PmyEpB0v5gjMGqTPc82twZqQKoDZS~IHABpRBSvZqLu70RF7yRPdFOZtmiDyjQqmfuSEvMoMuQrdTs6rYwbsdupnMD35xf1UC8WsldfOfRQ1cLq1TBchjjdSo6eF-mlYjKN5pQvTJzcXXLWiZV5zfvzPbRExkM~qxqIvmT3bmdX7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Eckhardt moved and the Senate approved House Bill 10 89, creating a Gulf Coast Protection account within the state general revenue fund to be administered by the Texas General Land Office for funding infrastructure projects to protect the Gulf Coast region.

Sponsor remarks described the account as a long-term funding mechanism to support Texas' share of large storm-surge protection projects, including the Coastal Texas project. Senator Eckhardt said the Coastal Texas project \"is expected to cost $35,000,000,000 and require a 35% non federal match,\" and that the account could accept appropriations, donations, grants and gifts to help meet the state's commitments and attract federal investment.

The bill text authorizes creation of the account and assigns administration to the General Land Office; the sponsor said the account is intended to fund Texas' share of massive coastal protection projects and to create a predictable funding stream for long-term projects. During debate, senators recorded three opposing votes on the procedural suspension and on floor actions: the record shows the motion to suspend the intent calendar carried 28 ayes, 3 nays, and final passage carried by the same margin.

Supporters framed the bill as necessary to ensure Texas can meet matching obligations and to keep federal partners engaged; opponents raised concerns about funding priorities and the size of the state commitment. The Senate voted to approve the bill on third reading, 28 ayes and 3 nays.

If enacted, the General Land Office will administer the account and the Legislature will determine appropriations and allowable uses; the transcript did not specify an appropriation amount or the initial funding source.","The Senate passed House Bill 10 89 to create a Gulf Coast Protection account administered by the Texas General Land Office to help fund large-scale storm-surge protection projects including the Coastal Texas project, with sponsor citing a $35 billion estimated project cost and a required 35% nonfederal match.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063124,"Senate approves advisory committee for DFPS child-protection investigations (House Bill 140)",256,4890000,5146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3270758-84ed705d52eed3a3270d78c259e56559&start=4890&end=5146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3270758-84ed705d52eed3a3270d78c259e56559/thumbnail_4890000.jpg","/articles/6063124/Texas/Senate-approves-advisory-committee-for-DFPS-child-protection-investigations-House-Bill-140","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063124-ef03baeff3e49cad8424f0ad5908b981/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985736&Signature=epP9-9oZ9x8506Gee~Ych5MIXYDOUABcbV2VaZTa9SaTZ9XnuwnkXGunspSgCAkd7wYJfGaCD36sBa~ptwUyXhk4pYYIVL0~wyypXSEZ~tPNXGek6TYzfolhg6B5BWQLX44UxN3XhnYQHFhl4ZWukQBW6lL59KzDh-vTZgw-vJCEN~dYYBcTsWLkJq0pSqXUnPEPXCpNHeqZXMbgCk7SyaKo5G-lSlsdFRthSVy3o8JN~ThAlCsNqjd~ex~t0fWDGM~98-igbPF-zfcwF~fA4zAznx3WP6cb~D8SWHyZgq0vrbAlv1Llx843uvNK778xdFhlweVIM0-ZduEeTsRW3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Kolkhorst moved and the Senate approved a committee substitute to House Bill 140, creating a public advisory committee to study and recommend improvements to child-protective investigations conducted by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).

The measure directs DFPS to establish an advisory committee on child-protective investigations composed of subject-matter experts, practitioners and department members to review investigative processes, due-process compliance and policies affecting parents and children. The committee will accept public comments at its meetings, the sponsor said.

Senator Kolkhorst said the panel \"will be comprised of 13 members appointed by the commissioner of DFPS\" and described membership that may include \"a parent that has been involved in a CPS legal case, a district judge, a county or district attorney, attorneys that represent children and parents, a member of law enforcement, and members of the department's investigative team.\" She said the committee aims to improve consistency and accuracy across the state's child-protective investigations.

The bill text amends chapter 40 of the Texas Human Resources Code by adding a new section to establish the advisory committee and its duties, including studying investigation procedures and recommending changes to protect due-process rights of individuals subject to investigations. Kolkhorst told the Senate the panel will provide a public forum for discussion about investigations and allow members of the public to offer comments at committee meetings.

Senator Kolkhorst characterized the bill as having been \"kind of a quiet under the radar bill, but a super important bill\" and said she and other senators had worked on it in the interim; she also referenced Representative Noble as a House sponsor who worked on the measure. The Senate passed the committee substitute, then approved final passage by a vote of 31 ayes, 0 nays.

The bill's next procedural steps are enrollment and transmission to the governor; committee membership and meeting schedules will be set after the bill becomes law.

","The Texas Senate passed a committee substitute to House Bill 140 to create a public advisory committee to study and recommend improvements to child-protective investigations conducted by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate expands felony penalties for endangering children, elderly and disabled by fentanyl (House Bill 166)

Senate approves Gulf Coast Protection account to fund coastal defenses (House Bill 10 89)

Senate approves advisory committee for DFPS child-protection investigations (House Bill 140)