HB 353: School Trespass Bill Reaches Public Sidewalks Within 250 Feet

Caption

relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near school or day-care center property.

Summary

No risk or behavior required. Refuse to leave when staff ask? Class A misdemeanor.

The bill creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for being on school or day-care property, or on any public street, sidewalk, alley or park within 250 feet of that property, and refusing to leave when asked. It reaches any person who has no custody of or responsibility for an enrolled child and no written permission, once a school administrator, educator or security officer asks them to go. On the ground, school staff can order anyone off nearby public sidewalks and streets, and a refusal becomes an offense punishable as a Class A misdemeanor starting September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R HB 2962 by Rep. Thimesch (Died in committee) and this bill (Vetoed). Checked against 88R only.DO-OVER. Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 2962 by Rep. Thimesch (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB353 · 2024-11-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Jared PattersonRHouse 106

ITEM

relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near school or day-care center property.

WHAT IT DOES

No risk or behavior required. Refuse to leave when staff ask? Class A misdemeanor.

The bill creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for being on school or day-care property, or on any public street, sidewalk, alley or park within 250 feet of that property, and refusing to leave when asked. It reaches any person who has no custody of or responsibility for an enrolled child and no written permission, once a school administrator, educator or security officer asks them to go. On the ground, school staff can order anyone off nearby public sidewalks and streets, and a refusal becomes an offense punishable as a Class A misdemeanor starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[x] DRAGNETanalysis confidence 75%

THE CAPTION

“relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near”…

Caption, engrossed version (E)

THE TEXT

“public property located within 250 feet of”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The author's statement says the bill targets people who pose a substantial risk of harm or repeatedly behave inappropriately, but the text has no risk or behavior element. Anyone on a public street, sidewalk or park within 250 feet who lacks a custody link or written permission can be ordered away, and refusing becomes an offense.

[x] ALREADY A CRIMEanalysis confidence 40%

THE TEXT

…“also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill concedes that its conduct may overlap other Penal Code offenses and allows prosecution under both. Based on general knowledge of Texas law, refusing to leave property after notice is already covered by the general criminal trespass offense for the on-campus case, though the public-sidewalk zone is new.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 5, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Nov 12, 2024Filed
Feb 28, 2025Read first time
Feb 28, 2025Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
Mar 25, 2025Referred directly to subcommittee by chair
Apr 3, 2025Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
Apr 3, 2025Considered by s/c in public hearing
Apr 3, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
Apr 3, 2025Left pending in subcommittee
Apr 16, 2025Recalled from subcommittee
Apr 16, 2025Considered in formal meeting
Apr 16, 2025Committee substitute considered in committee
Apr 16, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
Apr 24, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 24, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 25, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
Apr 28, 2025Considered in Calendars
Apr 30, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
Apr 30, 2025Read 2nd time
Apr 30, 2025Passed to engrossment
Apr 30, 2025Record vote RV#1087
Apr 30, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 1, 2025Read 3rd time
May 1, 2025Statement of Leg. Intent Recorded in Journal
May 1, 2025Passed
May 1, 2025Record vote RV#1128
May 1, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 1, 2025Reason for vote recorded in Journal
May 1, 2025Reported engrossed
May 5, 2025Received from the House
May 5, 2025Read first time
May 5, 2025Referred to Criminal Justice
May 5, 2025Posting rule suspended
May 6, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 6, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 6, 2025Vote taken in committee
May 7, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
May 7, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
May 8, 2025Placed on intent calendar
May 9, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
May 9, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 9, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
May 9, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 9, 2025Three day rule suspended
May 9, 2025Record vote
May 9, 2025Read 3rd time
May 9, 2025Passed
May 9, 2025Record vote
May 9, 2025Senate passage reported
May 9, 2025Reported enrolled
May 12, 2025Signed in the House
May 12, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 13, 2025Sent to the Governor
May 24, 2025Vetoed by the Governor

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 124 yea · 10 nay

Senate · 29 yea · 2 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 1, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 9, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Jared Patterson

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$133K Texas Sands PAC$85K Texas Conservative Majority PAC$58K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$132,750.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$132,750.00

Cash: $100,000.00
Paid by others: $32,750.00
Total: $132,750.00

polling $32,750.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 7, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100996442, 101018590, 101035748, 101067950, 101072483.

Texas Sands PAC$84,800.00

Texas Sands PAC

$84,800.00

Cash: $68,000.00
Paid by others: $16,800.00
Total: $84,800.00

polling $16,800.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 4, 2024 to Oct 15, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100976997, 101018590, 101035748, 101072483.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$57,950.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$57,950.00

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $57,950.00
Total: $57,950.00

canvassing $35,000.00polling $22,950.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 12, 2026 to Sep 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101035748, 101067950.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$132,750.00

Cash: $100,000.00
Paid by others: $32,750.00
Total: $132,750.00

polling $32,750.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 7, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100996442, 101018590, 101035748, 101067950, 101072483.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$84,800.00

Cash: $68,000.00
Paid by others: $16,800.00
Total: $84,800.00

polling $16,800.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 4, 2024 to Oct 15, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100976997, 101018590, 101035748, 101072483.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$57,950.00

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $57,950.00
Total: $57,950.00

canvassing $35,000.00polling $22,950.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 12, 2026 to Sep 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101035748, 101067950.

Votes5

Senate May 9, 2025

Yea: 29
Nay: 2
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 29 (published)
Nay: 2 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 9, 2025

Yea: 29
Nay: 2
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Hagenbuch moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 353 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 29 (published)
Nay: 2 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 9, 2025

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

CookNay
EckhardtNay

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

Senator Hagenbuch moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 353 at this time on its second reading: HB 353, Relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near school or day-care center property. The motion prevailed. Senators Cook and Eckhardt asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 1, 2025

Yea: 124
Nay: 10
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 1
Excused: 13

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1128

HB 353 was passed by (Record 1128): 124 Yeas, 10 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 124 (published)
Nay: 10 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
Excused: 13 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 30, 2025

Yea: 131
Nay: 10
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 3
Excused: 4

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1087

CSHB 353 was passed to engrossment by (Record 1087): 131 Yeas, 10 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 131 (published)
Nay: 10 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses25

For: 23
Against: 0
On: 2

Names

For

Children at Risk1 registration
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)2 registrations
Early Care & Education Consortium1 registration
Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP #391 registration
San antonio police officers association1 registration
SAPOA1 registration
Self9 registrations
Self; Houston Police Officers’ Union2 registrations
Sheriffs’ Association of Texas (SAT)1 registration
TCCB1 registration
Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)2 registrations
Texas Private Schools Association1 registration

On

Self2 registrations

Sources

25 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 5, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R HB 2962

by Rep. Thimesch, different lead author · Died in committee · reworked

Introduced text

Last action, Apr 24, 2023: Left pending in committee

Relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near a school or day-care center.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024

05/24/2025 E Vetoed by the Governor

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Companion

SB 1602 by Hagenbuch (identical)

Subjects

Crimes--Miscellaneous

Day Care

Education--Primary & Secondary--Facilities

TRESPASS

Text

The text as introduced · 302 words

89R3287 MEW-D

By: Patterson
H.B. No. 353

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near

school or day-care center property.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 30, Penal Code, is amended by adding

Section 30.055 to read as follows:

Sec. 30.055. TRESPASS ON OR NEAR SCHOOL OR DAY-CARE CENTER

PROPERTY. (a) In this section:

(1) "Day-care center" has the meaning assigned by

Section 42.002, Human Resources Code.

(2) "Public property" includes a street, highway,

alley, public park, or sidewalk.

(3) "School" means a private or public elementary or

secondary school.

(4) "School or day-care center property" means:

(A) all land and buildings owned or leased by a

school or day-care center; and

(B) any grounds or buildings on which an activity

sponsored by the school or day-care center is being conducted.

(b) A person commits an offense if the person:

(1) enters or remains on:

(A) school or day-care center property; or

(B) public property located within 250 feet of

school or day-care center property;

(2) either:

(A) poses a substantial risk of harm to any

person; or

(B) on more than one occasion and pursuant to the

same scheme or course of conduct, behaves in a manner that is

inappropriate for a school or day-care center setting; and

(3) receives a request to depart by an administrator,

educator, or security personnel officer employed by the school or

day-care center and fails to depart.

(c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(d) If conduct constituting an offense under this section

also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the

actor may be prosecuted under either section or both sections.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Texas Sands PAC

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Texas Sands PAC

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

Senate May 9, 2025

Senate May 9, 2025

Senate May 9, 2025

House May 1, 2025

House Apr 30, 2025

For

On

88R HB 2962

Companion