A bill aimed at closing a major loophole in Texas’ sex offender registry cleared the state House on Wednesday. It now moves to the Senate for a vote. If it passes there, the bill will head to the Governor’s desk for final approval.
House Bill 2000, known as “Audrii’s Law”, is named after 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who was killed in February 2024 by Don Steven McDougal in Livingston.
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McDougal had a previous conviction for a sex crime involving a minor but avoided having to register as a sex offender after taking a plea deal years earlier. Audrii’s grandparents say they may never have allowed him to live in a trailer on their property had they known about his past.
Sponsored by Rep. Trent Ashby, Audrii’s Law would automatically require sex offender registration for crimes like child grooming and enticing a child, even in cases where a plea deal is involved.
The bill passed unanimously out of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee last week after powerful and emotional testimony from Audrii’s family.
PREVIOUS: Family of Audrii Cunningham speaks in front of state lawmakers in Austin
The bill will now move to the Senate, where it will first be sent to committee for possible changes before a vote.
The bill is listed on the House’s Major State Calendar, reserved for legislation expected to have a significant, statewide impact.
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Audrii’s grandparents, Tabitha and Philip Munsch, have been vocal in their support of the bill and say they’re hopeful it will prevent other families from going through the same pain.