House Bill 217

This version makes a professional's knowing failure to report child abuse or neglect under Family Code Section 261.109 a state jail felony, rather than a Class A misdemeanor, when the unreported conduct is one of seven listed Penal Code offenses (among them trafficking, continuous sexual abuse of a young child and sexual assault) or is compelling or encouraging the child's sexual conduct, an obscene or pornographic depiction, or a sexual performance. Intent to conceal remains a felony ground. The change applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2027. The Index rates Spending growth relative to population and inflation at -1 Small, because state jail confinement costs rise.