AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott has signed new legislation designed to better protect Texas children from known predators, following the heartbreaking case of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham.

On May 24, Abbott signed House Bill 2000, also known as Audrii’s Law, into law. The bill, authored by State Representative Trent Ashby and sponsored in the Senate by Senator Robert Nichols, marks a significant change in how the state handles sex offender registration.

The new law adds child grooming to the list of offenses that require mandatory registration as a sex offender in Texas — a move that advocates and Audrii’s family say was long overdue.

Audrii Cunningham was tragically kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered in February 2024. Her accused killer, Don Steven McDougal, was a family acquaintance with a known history of crimes against children. Despite his past, McDougal was not required to register as a sex offender due to a legal loophole that allowed him to take a plea deal in a prior case involving a minor.

At the time of the crime, McDougal was living in a trailer on Audrii’s grandparents’ property near Lake Livingston.

Over the past year, Audrii’s family has worked tirelessly to advocate for change, testifying before lawmakers and calling for legislation that would prevent similar tragedies.

“Had this bill been in place, he would never have been near our sweet baby,” said Audrii’s grandmother, Tabitha Munsch, during a hearing in March. “I’m not asking — I’m begging that we close this loophole.”

With the governor’s signature, Audrii’s Law is now set to take effect on September 1, 2025. Supporters hope the new law will ensure more accountability and provide families with stronger safeguards against repeat offenders.