S.B. No. 2136
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the admissibility of evidence in the prosecution of an
  offense against a family member or certain other individuals or
  involving exploitation of certain vulnerable individuals.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Article 38.371, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         Art. 38.371.  EVIDENCE IN PROSECUTION [PROSECUTIONS] OF
  OFFENSE COMMITTED AGAINST MEMBER OF DEFENDANT'S FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD
  OR PERSON IN DATING RELATIONSHIP WITH DEFENDANT [CERTAIN OFFENSES
  INVOLVING FAMILY VIOLENCE].
         SECTION 2.  Article 38.371(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This article applies to a proceeding in the prosecution
  of a defendant for an offense, or for an attempt or conspiracy to
  commit an offense, for which the alleged victim is [that is
  committed under:
               [(1) Section 22.01, 22.02, or 22.04, Penal Code,
  against] a person whose relationship to or association with the
  defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005,
  Family Code[; or
               [(2) Section 25.07 or 25.072, Penal Code, if the offense
  is based on a violation of an order or a condition of bond in a case
  involving family violence].
         SECTION 3.  Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Article 38.471 to read as follows:
         Art. 38.471.  EVIDENCE IN PROSECUTION FOR EXPLOITATION OF
  CHILD, ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL, OR DISABLED INDIVIDUAL. (a)  In the
  prosecution of an offense under Section 32.53, Penal Code, evidence
  that the defendant has engaged in other conduct that is similar to
  the alleged criminal conduct may be admitted for the purpose of
  showing the defendant's knowledge or intent regarding an element of
  the offense.
         (b)  Rule 403, Texas Rules of Evidence, applies to this
  article.  This article does not permit the presentation of
  character evidence that would otherwise be inadmissible under the
  Texas Rules of Evidence or other applicable law.
         SECTION 4.  The change in law made by this Act applies to the
  admissibility of evidence in a criminal proceeding that commences
  on or after the effective date of this Act.  The admissibility of
  evidence in a criminal proceeding that commences before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2136 passed the Senate on
  May 7, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the
  Senate concurred in House amendment on May 25, 2019, by the
  following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2136 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 144,
  Nays 0, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor