Bill Text: TX HB170 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to civil liability arising out of justified uses of or threats to use force or deadly force.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HB170 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB170-Introduced.html

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89R150 MZM-F
By: Guillen H.B. No. 170

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to civil liability arising out of justified uses of or
threats to use force or deadly force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 83.001, Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 83.001. CIVIL IMMUNITY. A defendant who uses or
threatens to use force or deadly force that is justified under
Chapter 9, Penal Code, is immune from civil liability for personal
injury or death that results from the defendant's use of or threat
to use force or deadly force, as applicable.
SECTION 2. Chapter 83, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
amended by adding Section 83.002 to read as follows:
Sec. 83.002. ATTORNEY'S FEES; COSTS AND EXPENSES. A
defendant who is found to be immune from liability under Section
83.001 is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees, court
costs, lost income, and other expenses incurred by the defendant in
connection with the action.
SECTION 3. Section 9.06, Penal Code, is repealed.
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of
this Act. A cause of action that accrues before the effective date
of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the cause of action
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.