HB 47 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to sexual assault and other sex offenses.

HB 47 amends Texas law to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault and related offenses. It updates the definition of "victim" to explicitly include minors under 17 and cases involving family violence. Key provisions require law enforcement to provide safety protections, mandate judges to consider victim safety when setting bail, and ensure victims receive timely information about court proceedings and forensic exam costs. For sexual assault victims, the bill specifically guarantees notification about payment for forensic medical exams and related medical care within 30 days of the assault. These changes directly affect victims, their families, and the criminal justice system handling such cases.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 17, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill enrolls the final version of HB 47, which expands victim rights in Texas across criminal, juvenile, and healthcare settings. The changes include clarifying victim definitions, adding new rights for victims of sexual assault and capital felonies, and updating healthcare provider training and information requirements. Most substantive changes involve enhanced protections and information access for victims throughout the criminal justice system.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include juvenile justice rights and healthcare facility requirements, while maintaining the core focus on sexual assault victim protections in the criminal justice system.
REQUIREMENT

Added new rights for victims of capital felonies, including protection from defense-initiated victim outreach and the right to designate a victim service provider to receive communications.

Added requirements for healthcare facilities to provide basic sexual assault response training to employees and contractors involved in patient care.

Added requirements for standard information forms to be provided to sexual assault survivors, including details about forensic examinations, treatment options, and evidence retention policies.

Added new rights for victims to receive information about DNA testing, evidence analysis status, and results of biological evidence comparisons.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'victim' to clarify it includes victims of sexual assault, assault victims under 17, and cases involving family violence.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria for victim rights in juvenile justice proceedings to align with adult criminal justice protections.

Floor votes · House May 1, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
48
Key actions
16
Committee
11
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage reported
lower
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
4 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors