TX HB889

Expands the definition of "child" from persons younger than 17 to persons younger than 18 years of age for the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child

Removes the affirmative defense that previously allowed supervised access by a person older than 18 for hunting, sporting, or lawful purposes; replaces it with an exception requiring both parental/guardian authorization AND use for hunting, sporting, or lawful purposes

Increases the penalty to a third-degree felony when a child discharges the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury to another person who does not reside with the child

Maintains Class A misdemeanor penalty when a child discharges the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury to the child or another person who resides with the child

Applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025