Penal Code § 71.022

Sec. 71.022. COERCING, INDUCING, OR SOLICITING MEMBERSHIP IN A CRIMINAL STREET GANG OR FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly causes, enables, encourages, recruits, or solicits another person to become a member of a criminal street gang or foreign terrorist organization which, as a condition of initiation, admission, membership, or continued membership, requires the commission of any conduct which constitutes an offense punishable as a Class A misdemeanor or a felony. (a-1) A person commits an offense if, with intent to coerce, induce, or solicit a child to actively participate in the activities of a criminal street gang or foreign terrorist organization, the person: (1) threatens the child or a member of the child's family with imminent bodily injury; or (2) causes bodily injury to the child or a member of the child's family. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under this section is a felony of the third degree. (c) A second or subsequent offense under this section is a felony of the second degree. (d) In this section: (1) "Child" means an individual younger than 17 years of age. (2) "Family" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.003, Family Code. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1555, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 435 (H.B. 2187), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 462 (S.B. 1900), Sec. 20, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 462 (S.B. 1900), Sec. 21, eff. September 1, 2023.