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Texas Senate to hear ‘Audrii’s Law’ in Austin Tuesday as bill moves to become law

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Texas Senate to hear ‘Audrii’s Law’ in Austin Tuesday as bill moves to become law


AUSTIN, Texas – State lawmakers in the Texas Senate will hear H.B. 2000 – better known as ‘Audrii’s Law’ – named after the Livingston girl murdered by a family friend in 2024.

The legislation, which Rep. Trent Ashby filed, already received unanimous approval from the Texas House of Representatives in March.

On Tuesday, the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice will hold a public hearing on the bill, among others.

PREVIOUS: ‘Audrii’s Law’ passes unanimously in the Texas House, heads to Senate

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The bill aims to expand the crimes for which a convicted suspect will be required to register as a sex offender. If approved, the law would make sex offender registration requirements for the offense of child grooming.

Audrii Cunningham was 11-years-old when, Don Steven McDougal, brutally murdered the girl.

McDougal was a family friend living in a trailer behind her grandparent’s house near Lake Livingston.

After an exhaustive search, which included local, state and federal law enforcement resources, Audrii’s body was found weighted down in the Trinity River.

WATCH: Finding Audrii: A story of tragic loss and lasting legacy

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In January, McDougal agreed to a plea deal to spend the rest of his life in prison, without the opportunity for parole.

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.

Audrii’s Law aims to change that.

At a public hearing in front of Texas House lawmakers in March, Audrii’s family made an emotional plea with lawmakers.

“My granddaughter was the most loving child I’ve ever met,” Audrii’s grandmother, Tabitha Munsch, said. “Had this bill been in place, had this loophole existed, he would never be near our sweet baby. I’m not asking, I’m begging that we close this loophole.”

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SEE ALSO: The hidden dangers of lapsed sex offender registrations

“We know this incident had far far-reaching impact across East Texas, our community, the whole great State of Texas,” added Audrii’s grandfather, Philip Munsch. “It’s a case that touched so many hearts and Audrii was just a charming young lady, lots of potential. Because of a loophole, her life was taken away far too early.”

According to Audrii’s family, they won’t be in Austin for the hearing on Tuesday.

However, Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers of Houston will be speaking in front of lawmakers.

During that same public hearing in March, he delivered powerful words.

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“I told them, ‘Audrii Cunningham is going to be a catalyst for change.’ And that brings us here,” Kahan said while recalling on of his first conversations with Audrii’s family. “I’m sick and tired of naming bills after dead kids. This will prevent future Audrii Cunninghams.”

The hearing will begin at 8 a.m.

The committee is expected to vote on the bill today. If passed, it will be sent to the Senate floor for a full vote before being sent to the Governor’s desk for a signature.

Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.



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Austin, TX

AISD to Close Blackshear Elementary Amid Budget Challenges

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AISD to Close Blackshear Elementary Amid Budget Challenges


The Austin Independent School District has voted to close Blackshear Elementary School, a historic East Austin campus, as part of ongoing efforts to address financial constraints and declining enrollment. District officials say the decision comes after months



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Austin, TX

Ronald McDonald House Charities Central Texas opens first in-hospital house at Texas Children’s Austin

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Ronald McDonald House Charities Central Texas opens first in-hospital house at Texas Children’s Austin


AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas celebrated the grand opening of its new house at Texas Children’s Hospital in north Austin. 

The organization provides essential services for families such as warm meals and a place to rest near their child while they are receiving care at the hospital. 

This will be Central Texas’ second Ronald McDonald House. The first house is located in Mueller next to Dell’s Children’s Medical Center, according to the organization’s website. However, the north Austin house will be the first in-hospital house.

The north Austin house will have nine separate family suites, according to a press release. Families will also have a kitchen staffed with volunteers preparing meals, a dining area, a lounge room, complimentary laundry facilities and a room for arts and activities.

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Just steps away from their child’s bedside, the collaboration with Texas Children’s Hospital Austin ties into RMHC’s mission of keeping families close. 

“This new in-hospital Ronald McDonald House represents a meaningful commitment to families across Central Texas and beyond,” said Dr. Jeffrey Shilt, president of Austin and Central Texas at Texas Children’s. “By bringing this resource directly onto our Austin campus, we are helping ensure families can stay close to their child, remain connected to their care team and focus on what matters most during some of life’s most challenging moments.”

CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas Kristin Coulter said this is a milestone for the organization. 

“We’ve been experiencing a waitlist due to shortages of rooms for the last 5 years so today is a milestone moment for Ronald McDonald House because we are going to be able to serve nine more families here at the house who have children who are critically ill or injured staying at the hospital,” Coulter said.



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Joint Venture Acquires 243-Bed Student Housing Community Near University of Texas at Austin

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Joint Venture Acquires 243-Bed Student Housing Community Near University of Texas at Austin


AUSTIN, TEXAS — A joint venture between Ascentris and Student Quarters has acquired Noble 2500, a 243-bed student housing community serving students at the University of Texas at Austin. Built in 2023, the property is located in Austin’s West Campus neighborhood and offers 118 fully furnished units in studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom configurations with bed-to-bath parity. Shared amenities include study lounges, a courtyard pool, fitness center, yoga studio and a rooftop sky lounge. The new ownership plans to enhance the property’s common areas and implement operational improvements to boost leasing performance. The seller and sales price were not disclosed.



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