(b) Except as provided by Subsection (e), on a defendant's conviction of a state jail felony under Section 43.02(c)(2), Penal Code, that is punished under Section 12.35(a), Penal Code, the judge shall suspend the imposition of the sentence and place the defendant on community supervision. This subsection does not apply to a defendant who has previously been convicted of any other state jail felony under Section 43.02(c)(2), Penal Code, that is punished under Section 12.35, Penal Code.

(c) A judge who places a defendant on community supervision under Subsection (a) or (b) shall require as a condition of community supervision that the defendant participate in a commercially sexually exploited persons court program established under Chapter 126, Government Code, if a program has been established for the county or municipality where the defendant resides. Sections 126.002(b) and (c), Government Code, do not apply with respect to a defendant required to participate in the court program under this subsection.

(d) A judge who requires a defendant to participate in a commercially sexually exploited persons court program under Subsection (c) may suspend in whole or in part the imposition of the program fee described by Section 126.006, Government Code.

(e) In any case in which the jury assesses punishment, the judge must follow the recommendations of the jury in suspending the imposition of a sentence or ordering a sentence to be executed. If a jury assessing punishment does not recommend community supervision, the judge must order the sentence to be executed in whole.

(f) The judge may suspend in whole or in part the imposition of any fine imposed on conviction.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 413 (S.B. 20), Sec. 2.01, eff. September 1, 2019.