‘Jocelyn’s Law:’ Texas Lt. Governor wants legislation that would deny bail to capital murder suspects

HOUSTON – Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick wants legislation that will automatically deny bail to capital murder suspects to be named after Jocelyn Nungaray.

Patrick shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday.

In the post, Patrick said he had just left Nungaray’s funeral and said he told her mother that new legislation on bail reform would be named after Jocelyn.

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“Jocelyn’s family was shocked any bail was given in this case. The Texas Senate has passed strong bail reform by Senator Huffman on several occasions with overwhelming bipartisan support,” Patrick said in the post. “I told Jocelyn’s mom that the Texas Senate will pass bail reform once again and will not accept the House killing this legislation. It will be named after her daughter as “Jocelyn’s Law,” so her daughter’s name will never be forgotten and will ensure capital murderers are not eligible for bail ever again.”

The legislation, which will be known as “Jocelyn’s Law” will allow Texans to vote to amend the state Constitution to automatically deny bail to all capital murder suspects.

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In addition, Patrick said the Texas Senate will also work to enhance “Lauren’s Law,” making the murder of any child under 15 a death-penalty-eligible offense. Currently, only the murder of a child under 10 is a death-penalty-eligible offense.

State Senator Joan Huffman also said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she will file the legislation on the first day bills can be filed for the next legislative session.