Relating to the sequestration of a jury in a criminal case.

Texas Senate Bill 1458 modifies jury procedures in criminal cases by clarifying when jurors may be kept together ("sequestered") after the judge gives instructions. It allows courts to prevent jurors from separating until a verdict is reached, but requires a hearing and 10 days' notice if a party requests this, with penalties for revealing which side made the request. The bill specifies that gender-separated facilities must be provided if jurors are kept overnight. It applies only to criminal cases starting on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change rules for misdemeanor cases (where jurors may separate at any time before verdict). This is a procedural change affecting trial management, not substantive criminal law.