2023 Texas Statutes › Alcoholic Beverage Code › Title 4 - Regulatory and Penal Provisions › Chapter 106 - Provisions Relating to Age › Section 106.05. Possession of Alcohol by a Minor

Sec. 106.05.  POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR.  (a)  Except as provided in Subsection (b) of this section, a minor commits an offense if he possesses an alcoholic beverage.
(b)  A minor may possess an alcoholic beverage:
(1)  while in the course and scope of the minor's employment if the minor is an employee of a licensee or permittee and the employment is not prohibited by this code;
(2)  if the minor is in the visible presence of his adult parent, guardian, or spouse, or other adult to whom the minor has been committed by a court;
(3)  if the minor is under the immediate supervision of a commissioned peace officer engaged in enforcing the provisions of this code; or
(4)  if the beverage is lawfully provided to the minor under Section 106.16.
(c)  An offense under this section is punishable as provided by Section 106.071.
(d)  Subsection (a) does not apply to a minor who:
(1)  requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible alcohol overdose of the minor or another person;
(2)  was the first person to make a request for medical assistance under Subdivision (1); and
(3)  if the minor requested emergency medical assistance for the possible alcohol overdose of another person:
(A)  remained on the scene until the medical assistance arrived; and
(B)  cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel.
(e)  Except as provided by Subsection (f), Subsection (a) does not apply to a minor who reports the sexual assault of the minor or another person, or is the victim of a sexual assault reported by another person, to:
(1)  a health care provider treating the victim of the sexual assault;
(2)  an employee of a law enforcement agency, including an employee of a campus police department of an institution of higher education; or
(3)  the Title IX coordinator of an institution of higher education or another employee of the institution responsible for responding to reports of sexual assault.
(f)  A minor is entitled to raise the defense provided by Subsection (e) in the prosecution of an offense under this section only if the minor is in violation of this section at the time of the commission of a sexual assault that is:
(1)  reported by the minor under Subsection (e); or
(2)  committed against the minor and reported by another person under Subsection (e).
(g)  A minor who commits a sexual assault that is reported under Subsection (e) is not entitled to raise the defense provided by Subsection (e) in the prosecution of the minor for an offense under this section.
Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 514, ch. 194, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1973, ch. 777, Sec. 21, eff. Aug. 27, 1979;  Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 163, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1991;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 934, Sec. 78, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1013, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1139, Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 842 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1243 (S.B. 1331), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 514 (H.B. 909), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 204 (S.B. 966), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.