AUSTIN, Texas – Texas lawmakers have unanimously voted to send H.B. 2000 - better known as Audrii’s Law - to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.
On Friday, the Texas Senate voted unanimously to move Audrii’s Law forward during a full session.
“Members, this is legislation was in response to a devastating tragedy in East Texas. It was a heartbreaking loss of a 12-year-old girl named Audrii Cunningham from Polk County, whose life was taken too soon in February of last year,” said Texas Senator Robert Nichols, who sponsored the bill in the Senate.
Audrii’s grandparents have been pushing hard for the law to move through the state legislature. While they weren’t at the Senate vote, Audrii’s grandmother spoke with KPRC 2 moments after.
“I’m beyond elated. People can see this for exactly what it is, a loophole that needs to be closed, and I’m eternally grateful,” said Audrii’s grandmother, Tabitha Munsch.
READ H.B. 2000 - ‘Audrii’s Law’
Audrii Cunningham was kidnapped and murdered by Don Steven McDougal in February 2024.
McDougal was living in a camper behind Audrii’s grandparents’ house in Livingston.
Her grandparents, Tabitha and Philip Munsch, were aware of McDougal’s rough past, but believed his word when he told Audrii’s grandparents he was trying to get his life back on track.
They looked at his criminal record, but never knew he was convicted of a sex crime against a child. McDougal pleaded down the 2007 case as a result of a lack of evidence.
Pleading down the charge to enticing a child means he didn’t have to register as a sex offender.
“That gap in the law left the family unaware of the risks that they were taking bringing him into their home,” Sen. Nichols said in front of the full Senate on Friday. “House Bill 2000, which is known as Audrey’s Law, seeks to close that gap by requiring individuals convicted of the offense of child grooming. This bill changes that. Ensuring the public has access to that information that can help future tragedies from occurring."
“She was a protector of others, and for this to be her legacy, I know, I know that she is smiling down saying, ‘Thank you for helping me to do what I did in life, help protect those who couldn’t protect themselves,’” Audrii’s grandmother added.
The bill was filed in the Texas House of Representatives by Rep. Trent Ashby.
Audrii’s Law will now head to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.
If signed, Audrii’s Law will take effect on September 1, 2025.
