A new bill authored by State Rep. Mitch Little in the Texas House seeks to amend parole eligibility and jury instructions for inmates convicted as juveniles, according to the Texas Legislature website.
The bill on Occupational Regulation and Utilities category, introduced as HB 200 during the 89(2) legislative session on Monday, Aug. 18, was formally listed with the short title: ’Relating to the maintenance of emergency communication devices for certain facilities serving vulnerable populations’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill seeks to amend jury instructions and adjust parole eligibility for inmates convicted of offenses committed when they were under 18 years old. It mandates that juries be informed that parole eligibility doesn’t guarantee parole and sets parole eligibility at the earlier of 20 years served or existing legal timelines. It establishes that the parole panel must consider factors like the diminished culpability and greater capacity for change in juveniles. Special provisions are included for cases involving mass shootings. Additionally, the bill introduces mechanisms for submitting assessments of an inmate’s growth and allows a mental health evaluation to inform parole decisions. This bill becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Mitch Little, a member of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, proposed another two bills during the 89(2) legislative session. He is also a member of the House Committee on Transportation.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(2) | HB 219 | 08/18/2025 | Relating to the limitation on increases in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation |
| 89(2) | HB 206 | 08/18/2025 | Relating to the frequency of elections seeking voter approval for the issuance of school district bonds |
| 89(1) | HB 153 | 07/21/2025 | Relating to the frequency of elections seeking voter approval for the issuance of school district bonds |
| 89(1) | HB 152 | 07/21/2025 | Relating to the maintenance of emergency communication devices for certain facilities serving vulnerable populations |
| 89(1) | HB 151 | 07/21/2025 | Relating to the limitation on increases in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation |
| 89(R) | HB 5594 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the prohibition of certain housing discrimination related to brokerage services |
| 89(R) | HB 5491 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to vote harvesting; creating a civil penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 5480 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to competition and transparency in digital advertising |
| 89(R) | HB 5456 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to resident safety from criminal activity in senior retirement communities |
| 89(R) | HB 4778 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to limitations on the termination of banking services by certain financial institutions |
| 89(R) | HB 4623 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to liability of public schools and professional school employees for sexual misconduct involving students |
| 89(R) | HB 4084 | 03/07/2025 | Relating to the amount of an expenditure made by a municipality for which competitive bidding is required |
| 89(R) | HB 3577 | 03/03/2025 | Relating to the creation of a grant program to assist local law enforcement agencies in solving violent and sexual offenses |
| 89(R) | HB 3362 | 02/26/2025 | Relating to grand jury proceedings; providing a punishment for contempt of court |
| 89(R) | HB 3236 | 02/24/2025 | Relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone while intoxicated; increasing a criminal penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 2710 | 02/12/2025 | Relating to affirmative defenses to prosecution for certain criminal offenses involving material or conduct that may be obscene or is otherwise harmful to children |
| 89(R) | HB 2411 | 02/04/2025 | Relating to the enforceability of certain nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions with respect to an act of sexual abuse committed against a child |
| 89(R) | HB 1979 | 01/22/2025 | Relating to the payment of certain ad valorem tax refunds |
| 89(R) | HB 1758 | 01/07/2025 | Relating to limiting the number of sessions in which a member may serve as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives |
| 89(R) | HB 1744 | 01/06/2025 | Relating to the personal liability of control persons and material aiders under the Texas Securities Act; excluding claims from proportionate responsibility under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code |
| 89(R) | HB 1743 | 01/06/2025 | Relating to the holding or acquisition of an interest in real property by or on behalf of certain foreign individuals or entities; establishing an agricultural intelligence office; creating a criminal offense |
| 89(R) | HB 1348 | 11/15/2024 | Relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools |
