Relating to victims of sex offenses, sex-based human trafficking offenses, or acts of a sexual nature and to the confidentiality of or restrictions on the availability of certain property, material, or information regarding those victims, offenses, or acts.
What changed between versions
Added new articles to the Code of Criminal Procedure governing discovery of evidence depicting invasive visual recordings of persons 14 years or older, requiring courts to allow discovery while maintaining protective orders.
Modified Article 38.435 to prohibit use of evidence from forensic medical examinations to investigate or prosecute misdemeanor offenses or offenses committed by the victim from whom evidence was collected.
Added requirements for peace officers to provide comprehensive written notices to sexual assault victims about their rights, including forensic medical examination, evidence tracking, and protective order options.
Added new provisions allowing victims to use pseudonyms in public records and court proceedings, with strict confidentiality requirements for handling pseudonym forms.
Added prohibition on electronic transmission or broadcasting of court proceedings involving sexual offenses unless express consent is obtained from the victim, state attorney, and defendant.
Established September 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new provisions.