TX SB2304

Raises the minimum age for juvenile court jurisdiction and criminal responsibility from 10 to 13 years old for most offenses, meaning children under 13 generally cannot be prosecuted or convicted

Creates an exception allowing juvenile courts to retain jurisdiction over children ages 10-12 only for serious violent offenses including murder, capital murder, aggravated assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, arson, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, indecency with a child, and continuous sexual abuse

Establishes a mandatory waiver hearing process for children under 13, requiring the court to consider whether less restrictive interventions (by parents, schools, child protective services, or county family services) are available before exercising jurisdiction

Requires the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Texas School Safety Center, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and Supreme Court of Texas Children's Commission to update training materials to reflect these changes

Applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by existing law