HB 155 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the confidentiality of certain autopsy records.

HB 155 modifies Texas law to keep autopsy photographs and X-rays confidential unless: (1) a court orders disclosure, (2) the person died while in law enforcement custody, or (3) the family requests them. Medical examiners and law enforcement must follow these rules without needing special approval from the attorney general. The law applies only to requests received after September 1, 2025, and does not change existing disclosure requirements for other autopsy records. This affects how sensitive medical evidence is handled in death investigations.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Apr 29, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 3 edits · Apr 25, 2025

MINOR

This bill updates the confidentiality rules for autopsy records in Texas, specifically regarding photographs and x-rays taken during autopsies. The changes clarify when these images can be withheld from public disclosure and establish new procedures for when they must be released to law enforcement, next of kin, or under legal authority.

Scope change

The bill expands specific disclosure exceptions for autopsy photographs and x-rays, clarifying when governmental bodies can withhold these images without requesting attorney general approval.

REQUIREMENT

Added new subsections (b-1) and (b-2) that specify when autopsy photographs and x-rays can be withheld from public disclosure and clarify that releasing them does not constitute a public release for legal purposes.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified disclosure rules to explicitly allow withholding of autopsy images under certain conditions while maintaining exceptions for law enforcement custody deaths and next of kin access.

TIMELINE

Established September 1, 2025 as the effective date for these changes, with retroactive application rules for information requests received before that date.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Justice

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

Apr 28, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Vote reconsidered in committee

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Committee

Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to Public Health

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors