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  89R12249 MZM-F     By: Guillen, Bumgarner, Gerdes, Virdell, H.B. No. 170       et al.       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to civil liability arising out of justified uses of or   threats to use force or deadly force.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 83.001, Civil Practice and Remedies   Code, is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 83.001.  CIVIL IMMUNITY. (a)  A defendant who uses or   threatens to use force or deadly force that is justified under   Chapter 9, Penal Code, is immune from civil liability for personal   injury or death that results from the defendant's use of or threat   to use force or deadly force, as applicable.           (b)     A defendant who uses or threatens to use force or deadly   force is presumed to be justified under Chapter 9, Penal Code, and   immune from liability if:                 (1)     a grand jury declines to indict the defendant for   the use or threatened use of force or deadly force; or                 (2)     a criminal charge for an offense involving the use   or threatened use of force or deadly force results in acquittal or   is dismissed.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 83, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is   amended by adding Section 83.002 to read as follows:           Sec.   83.002.     ATTORNEY'S FEES; COSTS AND EXPENSES. A   defendant who is found to be immune from liability under Section   83.001 is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees, court   costs, lost income, and other expenses incurred by the defendant in   connection with the action.          SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of   this Act.  A cause of action that accrues before the effective date   of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the cause of action   immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.