SB 2938 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the verification of the veteran status of inmates and prisoners.

SB 2938 requires counties to verify and include an inmate’s veteran status in documentation when transferring defendants to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Specifically, it amends the transfer process to mandate that counties provide a "copy of the veteran status of the defendant as determined by an investigation" under existing state law (Section 511.009(a)(17)(A) of the Government Code). This affects county courts and correctional facilities handling inmate transfers, ensuring veteran status is formally documented during the transfer process. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on record-keeping requirements, not on altering veteran benefits or eligibility. It became law on September 1, 2025, after passing unanimously in both chambers.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Signed May 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 5 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was finalized in its enrolled version with minor formatting and structural cleanup. The substantive policy content remains focused on verifying veteran status for inmates and improving jail conditions, including new requirements for pregnant prisoners, mental health access, and visitation rights.

TECHNICAL

Removed extraneous text and formatting artifacts from the bill header and introductory sections to prepare the final enrolled version for signature.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for sheriffs to verify veteran status using federal data, provide prepaid postcards for veterans to apply for benefits, and submit weekly reports to the Texas Veterans Commission.

Added new provisions requiring jails to provide 24-hour access to mental health and health professionals, install electronic sensors for cell checks, and establish standards for feminine hygiene products.

Added new requirements for jails to determine pregnancy status, provide appropriate medical care for pregnant prisoners, and allow guardians the same visitation rights as next of kin.

TIMELINE

Established September 1, 2025 as the effective date for the provisions of this Act.

Floor votes · House May 20, 2025

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

May 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

May 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

House passage reported

upper

May 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

May 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

lower

May 2, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

May 1, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendments

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to Vet Affairs

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

3 primary · 1 co-sponsor