TX HB3498

Elevates assault of a retail establishment employee from a Class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony when the victim is on the retail establishment's property (including all land and buildings owned or leased by the establishment)

Requires the actor to know the victim is a retail employee at the time of the offense for the enhanced penalty to apply

Adds retail employees to the existing list of protected categories that include public servants, security officers, emergency services personnel, process servers, pregnant individuals, and hospital personnel

Applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025; offenses before that date remain governed by prior law

Amends Section 22.01(b) of the Texas Penal Code