The Texas Senate has passed SB 990, a bill that expands death penalty eligibility for those convicted of murdering children.
The bill, introduced by Senator Paul Bettencourt in January, passed with a 26-5 bipartisan vote.
Currently, Texas law does not apply the death penalty to the murder of children aged 10 to 15. SB 990 seeks to eliminate this exemption, ensuring that all child murder victims are treated equally under capital punishment guidelines.
The bill also removes the requirement for additional charges, such as sexual assault, to pursue the death penalty in these cases.
The bill will now be considered by the Texas House. If approved, it will be presented to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature. If signed into law, SB 990 will take effect on September 1, 2025.
The bill is named in honor of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who was brutally murdered last year.
Her mother, Alexis Nungaray, expressed support for the bill at the Senate hearing, as did Crime Victims Advocate Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers.
Senator Bettencourt highlighted the urgency of addressing child murders, asserting that those who commit such crimes in Texas would face the death penalty under the new bill.
In the case of Jocelyn Nungaray, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced plans to pursue the death penalty for the accused killers, Franklin Pena and Johan Martinez-Rangel.
They face charges of sexual assault, making them eligible for the death penalty under current law. However, SB 990 would remove the need for additional charges in child murder cases.
SB 990 also includes provisions to remove certain legal restrictions, which would only apply to future cases.
Senator Bettencourt expressed hope that the bill would serve as a deterrent to future child murders, emphasizing the importance of preventing tragedies like those suffered by families such as Jocelyn and Maria’s. He also stressed the need to combat violence against innocent children.
