TX HB2648

Amends Texas Penal Code Section 9.51 to add a new requirement that the person being arrested or attempting to escape must possess a deadly weapon before deadly force can be justified

Maintains existing requirements that deadly force is only justified when the peace officer reasonably believes the underlying conduct involved use or attempted use of deadly force, or that delaying arrest poses substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury

Applies the same deadly weapon possession requirement to non-peace officers acting under a peace officer's presence and direction when using deadly force to assist with arrests

Clarifies language to specify "peace officer" rather than generic "actor" terminology and adds "apprehension" alongside arrest in certain provisions

Takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date