Relating to liability of judges and magistrates for the improper release on personal bond of defendants accused of committing certain felony offenses.
SB 2047 allows victims of violent crimes (as defined by Texas law) or their estates to sue judges or magistrates who improperly released defendants on personal bond for certain felony offenses. It applies only when the offense involved violence (e.g., assault) and the release violated specific court procedures outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure. Victims may seek up to $10 million in damages, and judges cannot claim immunity as a defense. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to releases occurring after that date.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 7, 2025
Last action Mar 17, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Paul Bettencourt
RRepublican
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