Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.
Section 21.11 - Indecency With A Child(a) A person commits an offense if, with a child younger than 17 years of age, whether the child is of the same or opposite sex and regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child at the time of the offense, the person: (1) engages in sexual contact with the child or causes the child to engage in sexual contact; or(2) with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person:(A) exposes the person's anus or any part of the person's genitals, knowing the child is present; or(B) causes the child to expose the child's anus or any part of the child's genitals.(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor: (1) was not more than three years older than the victim and of the opposite sex;(2) did not use duress, force, or a threat against the victim at the time of the offense; and(3) at the time of the offense: (A) was not required under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, to register for life as a sex offender; or(B) was not a person who under Chapter 62 had a reportable conviction or adjudication for an offense under this section.(b-1) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor was the spouse of the child at the time of the offense.(c) In this section, "sexual contact" means the following acts, if committed with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person: (1) any touching by a person, including touching through clothing, of the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of a child; or(2) any touching of any part of the body of a child, including touching through clothing, with the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of a person.(d) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the second degree and an offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a felony of the third degree.Amended by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 1038,Sec. 3, eff. 9/1/2017.Amended by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 685,Sec. 32, eff. 9/1/2017.Amended By Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2009.Amended By Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 739, Sec. 2, eff. 9/1/2001.Amended By Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1415, Sec. 23, eff. 9/1/1999Amended By Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. 9/1/1994Amended By Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1028, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1987Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 472, ch. 202, Sec. 3, eff. 9/1/1981 Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. 1/1/1974.