Tex. Penal Code § 21.02 · Chapter 21. SEXUAL OFFENSES
CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG CHILD OR DISABLED INDIVIDUAL.
Text — Current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025
(a) In this section:
(1) "Child" has the meaning assigned by Section 22.011(c).
(2) "Disabled individual" has the meaning assigned by Section 22.021(b).
(b) A person commits an offense if:
(1) during a period that is 30 or more days in duration, the person commits two or more acts of sexual abuse, regardless of whether the acts of sexual abuse are committed against one or more victims; and
(2) at the time of the commission of each of the acts of sexual abuse, the actor is 17 years of age or older and the victim is:
(A) a child younger than 14 years of age, regardless of whether the actor knows the age of the victim at the time of the offense; or
(B) a disabled individual.
(c) For purposes of this section, "act of sexual abuse" means any act that is a violation of one or more of the following penal laws:
(1) aggravated kidnapping under Section 20.04(a)(4), if the actor committed the offense with the intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually;
(2) indecency with a child under Section 21.11(a)(1), if the actor committed the offense in a manner other than by touching, including touching through clothing, the breast of a child;
(3) sexual assault under Section 22.011;
(4) aggravated sexual assault under Section 22.021;
(5) burglary under Section 30.02, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (d) of that section and the actor committed the offense with the intent to commit an offense listed in Subdivisions (1)-(4);
(6) sexual performance by a child under Section 43.25;
(7) trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8); and
(8) compelling prostitution under Section 43.05.
(d) If a jury is the trier of fact, members of the jury are not required to agree unanimously on which specific acts of sexual abuse were committed by the defendant or the exact date when those acts were committed. The jury must agree unanimously that the defendant, during a period that is 30 or more days in duration, committed two or more acts of sexual abuse.
(e) A defendant may not be convicted in the same criminal action of an offense listed under Subsection (c) the victim of which is the same victim as a victim of the offense alleged under Subsection (b) unless the offense listed in Subsection (c):
(1) is charged in the alternative;
(2) occurred outside the period in which the offense alleged under Subsection (b) was committed; or
(3) is considered by the trier of fact to be a lesser included offense of the offense alleged under Subsection (b).
(f) A defendant may not be charged with more than one count under Subsection (b) if all of the specific acts of sexual abuse that are alleged to have been committed are alleged to have been committed against a single victim.
(g) With respect to a prosecution under this section involving only one or more victims described by Subsection (b)(2)(A), it is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor:
(1) was not more than five years older than:
(A) the victim of the offense, if the offense is alleged to have been committed against only one victim; or
(B) the youngest victim of the offense, if the offense is alleged to have been committed against more than one victim;
(2) did not use duress, force, or a threat against a victim at the time of the commission of any of the acts of sexual abuse alleged as an element of the offense; and
(3) at the time of the commission of any of the acts of sexual abuse alleged as an element 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 or an act of sexual abuse as described by Subsection (c).
(h) An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 593 (H.B. 8), Sec. 1.17, eff. September 1, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 24), Sec. 6.04, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 685 (H.B. 29), Sec. 31, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1038 (H.B. 1808), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 221 (H.B. 375), Sec. 1.01, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 221 (H.B. 375), Sec. 1.02, eff. September 1, 2021.
Source of truth
- Edition
- Current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025
- Official file
- https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.21.htm
- Text hash
- sha256 87d286d20536a5ebe6dc2c26b9b410fa6a861796b1d8e76603b7267da2ac4879
- Composed by
- compose_tx.py 2026-10-05: the Legislative Council's chapter files read in document order; verify_tx.py's independent reading (lxml DOM walk) agrees character for character
This section cites
Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.
Code of Criminal Procedure
Penal Code
- Tex. Penal Code § 20.04AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING.Printed as Section 20.04(a)(4)
- Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS.Printed as Section 20A.02(a)(3)
- Tex. Penal Code § 21.11INDECENCY WITH A CHILD.Printed as Section 21.11(a)(1)
- Tex. Penal Code § 22.011SEXUAL ASSAULT.Printed as Section 22.011 | Section 22.011(c)
- Tex. Penal Code § 22.021AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT.Printed as Section 22.021 | Section 22.021(b)
- Tex. Penal Code § 30.02BURGLARY.Printed as Section 30.02
- Tex. Penal Code § 43.05COMPELLING PROSTITUTION.Printed as Section 43.05
- Tex. Penal Code § 43.25SEXUAL PERFORMANCE BY A CHILD.Printed as Section 43.25
Cited by 55 provisions
Provisions in this library whose text cites Tex. Penal Code § 21.02; the first 50 in book order. Each shows the citation as that text prints it.
Civil Practice and Remedies Code
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.0045LIMITATIONS PERIOD FOR CLAIMS ARISING FROM CERTAIN OFFENSES.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 61.0021GROUNDS FOR ATTACHMENT IN SUIT FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 118.001DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 20A.02, 21.02, 21.07, 21.08, 21.11, 21.12, 21.15, 21.16, 21.165, 21.17, 21.18, 21.19, 22.011, 22.012, 22.021, or 43.25, Penal Code
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 125.0015COMMON NUISANCE.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
Code of Criminal Procedure
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 7B.001APPLICATION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER.Printed as Section 20A.02, 20A.03, 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, 22.012, 22.021, 42.072, or 43.05, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 7B.004HEARSAY STATEMENT OF CHILD VICTIM.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, 22.012, or 22.021, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 12.01FELONIES.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.051POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION OF COMPLAINANT PROHIBITED.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 18.021ISSUANCE OF SEARCH WARRANT TO PHOTOGRAPH INJURED CHILD.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 21.31TESTING FOR AIDS AND CERTAIN OTHER DISEASES.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11(a)(1), 22.011, or 22.021, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 24A.001APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, or 22.021, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 37.07VERDICT MUST BE GENERAL; SEPARATE HEARING ON PROPER PUNISHMENT.Printed as Section 21.02(h), Penal Code | Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42A.054LIMITATION ON JUDGE-ORDERED COMMUNITY SUPERVISION.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.03, 21.11, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42A.102ELIGIBILITY FOR DEFERRED ADJUDICATION COMMUNITY SUPERVISION.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 56A.052ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF VICTIMS OF CERTAIN SEXUAL, TRAFFICKING, OR BURGLARY OFFENSES.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, 22.012, or 22.021, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 56B.003DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11(a)(1), 22.011, or 22.021, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 58.051DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.0186FINE FOR CERTAIN CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RELATED CONVICTIONS.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011(a)(2), 22.021(a)(1)(B), 43.25, 43.251, or 43.26, Penal Code
Education Code
Family Code
- Tex. Fam. Code § 33.009OTHER REPORTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR.Printed as Section 21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Fam. Code § 33.010CONFIDENTIALITY.Printed as Section 21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ABUSE.Printed as Section 21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Fam. Code § 154.001SUPPORT OF CHILD.Printed as Section 21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Fam. Code § 156.104MODIFICATION OF ORDER ON CONVICTION FOR CHILD ABUSE; PENALTY.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, or 22.021, Penal Code | Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Fam. Code § 161.007TERMINATION WHEN PREGNANCY RESULTS FROM CRIMINAL ACT.Printed as Section 21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Fam. Code § 261.001DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
Government Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 21.014ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF COURT PROCEEDINGS IN CERTAIN CASES PROHIBITED.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 21.15, 22.011, 22.012, or 22.021, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 23.101PRIMARY PRIORITIES.Printed as Section 19.02, 19.03, 21.02, or 21.11, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 420.003DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 499.054SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT PROGRAM.Printed as Section 21.02(h) or 22.021(f), Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 501.061ORCHIECTOMY FOR CERTAIN SEX OFFENDERS.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011(a)(2), or 22.021(a)(2)(B), Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 508.046EXTRAORDINARY VOTE REQUIRED.Printed as Section 20A.03, 21.02, 21.11(a)(1), or 22.021, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 508.117VICTIM NOTIFICATION.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 508.149INMATES INELIGIBLE FOR MANDATORY SUPERVISION.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 508.151PRESUMPTIVE PAROLE DATE.Printed as Section 21.02 or 21.03, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 508.187CHILD SAFETY ZONE.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code
Health and Safety Code
- Tex. Health & Safety Code § 141.0051LICENSE; CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN CONVICTIONS.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Health & Safety Code § 141.0085REPORTS OF ABUSE; DUTIES OF YOUTH CAMP OPERATOR.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Health & Safety Code § 250.006CONVICTIONS BARRING EMPLOYMENT.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Health & Safety Code § 260A.007INVESTIGATION AND REPORT OF DEPARTMENT.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, or 22.021, Penal Code
Occupations Code
- Tex. Occ. Code § 301.4535REQUIRED SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR REFUSAL OF LICENSE FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES.Printed as Section 21.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Occ. Code § 455.152INELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSE.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.09, 21.11, 21.12, 21.15, 21.16, 21.165, 21.18, 22.011, 22.012, 22.021, 25.02, 43.021, 43.03, 43.031, 43.04, 43.041, 43.05, 43.25, 43.26, or 43.262, Penal Code
Penal Code
- Tex. Penal Code § 3.03SENTENCES FOR OFFENSES ARISING OUT OF SAME CRIMINAL EPISODE.Printed as Section 21.02, 21.11, 25.02, or 43.25
- Tex. Penal Code § 12.35STATE JAIL FELONY PUNISHMENT.Printed as Section 21.02 or 21.03
- Tex. Penal Code § 12.42PENALTIES FOR REPEAT AND HABITUAL FELONY OFFENDERS ON TRIAL FOR FIRST, SECOND, OR THIRD DEGREE FELONY.Printed as Section 21.02 or 22.021
- Tex. Penal Code § 15.032CHILD GROOMING.Printed as Section 21.02
- Tex. Penal Code § 20A.02TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS.Printed as Section 21.02
- Tex. Penal Code § 25.07VIOLATION OF CERTAIN COURT ORDERS OR CONDITIONS OF BOND IN A FAMILY VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT, SEXUAL ASSAULT OR ABUSE, INDECENT ASSAULT, STALKING, OR TRAFFICKING CASE.Printed as Section 21.02 or 21.11
Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.