All Roll Calls
Yes: 310 • No: 0
TexasSB 83689th Legislature Regular SessionSenate
Relating to victims of sex offenses, sex-based human trafficking offenses, or acts of a sexual nature and to the confidentiality of or restrictions on the availability of certain property, material, or information regarding those victims, offenses, or acts.
Sponsored By: Rhetta Andrews Bowers, David Cook, Donna Howard, Lacey Hull, Angela Paxton (Republican), Shelby Slawson
Signed by Governor
Courts--Prosecuting AttorneysCrimes--Against Persons--SexualCriminal Procedure--GeneralLaw EnforcementCRIME VICTIMSEMAIL & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONSEVIDENCEFORENSIC TESTINGHUMAN TRAFFICKINGPROTECTIVE ORDERSSEXUAL ASSAULTVIDEOTAPE & FILM
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More privacy for victims’ exam evidence
For proceedings starting September 1, 2025, or later, Texas courts cannot make covered forensic exam materials available for public copying or sharing. Courts must seal the materials afterward; reopening them requires a court finding that it serves the public interest. Courts must still allow defense access to exam images and recordings, but must bar copying or sharing. Materials not offered and admitted as evidence must be returned to the state or destroyed when the case ends. Exam evidence also cannot support investigations or prosecutions of victims for misdemeanors or Health and Safety Code offenses.
Sexual assault victims get rights notices
Starting September 1, 2025, officers investigating sexual assault or responding to a possible assault must give victims English-and-Spanish rights notices. Notices explain access to a forensic exam within 120 hours of assault and preventive medicines, even without a police report. They cover anonymous evidence tracking, an advocate during exams, and an advocate or representative during investigative interviews. They also explain asking prosecutors to file charges, requesting a pseudonym, and seeking emergency or permanent protective orders. Notices describe protections against violence, threats, contact, and coming too close. They state that filing, serving, or entering a protective order carries no court fee. Victims also receive assistance contacts, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and directions for updates and further help. The notice requirement applies to investigations or responses starting on or after that date.
Stronger privacy for invasive image victims
For proceedings starting September 1, 2025, or later, courts cannot make covered seized invasive images available for public copying or sharing. This applies when police seized the images based on reasonable suspicion of an invasive-recording offense. Public-sharing limits are no longer restricted to images of children younger than 14. Courts must allow defense access to covered images showing someone age 14 or older, with orders barring copying or sharing. Materials not offered and admitted as evidence must be returned to the state or destroyed when the case ends.
Victim consent required for court broadcasts
For proceedings starting September 1, 2025, or later, courts face consent requirements before electronic transmission or broadcasting. The rule covers specified sex-offense, trafficking, and protective-order proceedings when evidence or testimony depicts or describes sexual acts. Courts must first give notice and obtain express consent from the victim, the state’s lawyer, and the defendant. An applicable parent, conservator, or guardian gives consent in place of the victim.
Victims can better protect their names
Beginning September 1, 2025, victims choosing a substitute name can submit the required form to investigating police or the prosecutor. The attorney general’s victim-services program must develop and distribute the form. Receiving officials must share it with relevant investigators and prosecutors, protect it, and use the substitute name in records. Prosecutors must ensure its use in court proceedings; victims returning the form cannot be required to disclose their name, address, or phone number. The form remains available to the defendant or defense lawyer, or as otherwise allowed by law or court order.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Rhetta Andrews Bowers
House
David Cook
House
Donna Howard
House
Lacey Hull
House
Angela Paxton
Republican • Senate
Shelby Slawson
House
Cosponsors
Sarah Eckhardt
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/29/2025
Record vote
Yes: 146 • No: 0
House vote • 4/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 148 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/2/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/2/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Criminal Justice
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Criminal Jurisprudence
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
5/13/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
5/13/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/1/2025HouseSigned in the House
5/1/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
4/30/2025SenateReported enrolled
4/29/2025SenateCommittee report sent to Calendars
4/29/2025HouseHouse passage reported
4/29/2025SenateRecord vote (RV#792)
4/29/2025HousePassed
4/29/2025HouseRead 3rd time
4/29/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
4/28/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#659)
4/28/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading
4/28/2025HouseRead 2nd time
4/28/2025HouseLaid out in lieu of companion (HB 1686)
4/28/2025HouseCommittee report distributed
4/28/2025HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
4/28/2025HouseReported favorably w/o amendment(s)
4/24/2025HouseConsidered in formal meeting
4/24/2025HouseReferred to Criminal Jurisprudence
4/9/2025HouseRead first time
4/9/2025HouseReceived from the Senate
4/3/2025HouseReported engrossed
4/2/2025SenateRecord vote
4/2/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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