2025 Texas Statutes
Penal Code
Title 5 - Offenses Against the Person
Chapter 20 - Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, and Smuggling of Persons
Section 20.07. Operation of Stash House
Sec. 20.07. OPERATION OF STASH HOUSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly:
(1) uses or permits another to use any real estate, building, room, tent, vehicle, boat, or other property owned by the person or under the person's control to commit an offense or to facilitate the commission of an offense under Section 20.05, 20.06, 20A.02, 20A.03, 43.04, or 43.05; or
(2) rents or leases any property to another, intending that the property be used as described by Subdivision (1).
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree with a minimum term of imprisonment of five years, except that the offense is a felony of the second degree with a minimum term of imprisonment of five years if:
(1) the offense is committed under Subsection (a)(1) and the property that is the subject of the offense is used to commit or facilitate the commission of an offense under Section 20.06, 20A.03, or 43.05; or
(2) it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a direct result of the commission of the offense:
(A) an individual became a victim of sexual assault, as defined by Section 22.011, or aggravated sexual assault, as defined by Section 22.021; or
(B) an individual suffered serious bodily injury or death.
(c) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 412 (H.B. 2613), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., 3rd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 4), Sec. 5, eff. February 6, 2024.
