Transcript Highlights:

• Law Rule of Evidence 412 protects victims of sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault by generally
• assault and aggravated sexual assault.
• . regarding the admissibility of evidence about their past sexual behavior as victims of sexual assault
• This month we have a sexual assault case scheduled for trial.
• number of sexual assaults. assault forensic exam kits that are overdue for transfer to a crime lab.

Bills: SB251, SB608, SB487, SB535, SB761, SB955, SB957, SB958, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule 412 excludes evidence of a victim's past sexual behavior or reputation in cases of sexual assault
• and aggravated sexual assault.
• deserve the same protection afforded to survivors of rape and aggravated sexual assault.
• I think the current Rule 412 just addresses Items 5 and 7, which are sexual assault and aggravated sexual
• assault and aggravated sexual assault, so you're just adding to it as I read it.

Bills: SB535, SB664, SB1019, SB1020, SB1120, SB1537, SB1804, HB3207

Keywords: SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield, victim sexual history, past sexual behavior, sexual assault evidence, trafficking of persons, continuous trafficking, indecency with a child, continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault, indecent assault, consent defense, in camera hearing, Rule 412, Rule 609, victim protection, evidence admissibility, criminal evidence, sexual offense prosecution

Bills: S0760, S1012, S1536, S1582, S1792

Keywords: pretrial release, bond conditions, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention, first appearance hearing, law enforcement immunity, domestic violence, stalking, battery, aggravated assault, robbery, kidnapping, sexual battery, murder, manslaughter

Summary: The Criminal and Civil Justice Committee met with a quorum present and began with a notice that the committee would not present its budget that day, explaining that the budget rollout would be coordinated with House partners and Senate notice requirements, with the next opportunity expected the following week. The committee then moved to legislation, starting with CS for SB 760 by Senator McLean, the Victim Safety and Pre-Trial Release Act, which would address willful violations of court-ordered no-contact conditions for defendants on pretrial release for serious violent crimes. The bill had support from the Florida Sheriffs Association, received no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee next considered SB 1536 by Senator Pizzo on digital voyeurism, described as expanding the reasonable expectation of privacy to include a privately fenced yard. The transcript shows the chair moved on before questions or a vote were taken on that bill. The committee then took up CS for SB 102 by Senator Yarbrough on inmate services, first adopting a leave-filed amendment that revised provisions on inmate welfare trust funds, Medicaid supplemental reimbursement participation, emergency transport reimbursement, and negotiated rates for certain community health care providers, including telehealth and secure-unit care. Justin Senior of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida testified in information, saying the amendment was a major positive move, and the amended bill was then reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that two agenda items were being temporarily postponed: CS for SB 1582 on statewide data sharing of secondhand dealer and pawnbroker transactions and SB 1792 on public records for pawnbroker transactions. No further business was raised, and the committee adjourned after a motion by Senator Simon.

Bills: S0760, S1012, S1536, S1582, S1792

Keywords: pretrial release, bond conditions, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention, first appearance hearing, law enforcement immunity, domestic violence, stalking, battery, aggravated assault, robbery, kidnapping, sexual battery, murder, manslaughter

Transcript Highlights:

• You've heard some of them just now, but I will specifically reiterate that right now, sexual assault
• What it says is that if you were sexually assaulted by a law enforcement officer, if you are abused by
• What it says is that if you were sexually assaulted by all, 20 years of hard work.
• What it says is that if you were sexually assaulted by a law enforcement officer, if you are abused by
• assaulted.

Bills: S0600, S0760, S1012, S1326, S1488, S1536, S1544, S1750

Keywords: bail bonds, pretrial release, forfeiture, criminal justice, Florida statutes, bond conditions, surety, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention, first appearance hearing, law enforcement immunity, domestic violence, stalking, battery, aggravated assault

Summary: The committee took up several criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 760 on violations of pretrial release conditions. A strike-all amendment narrowed the bill to make willful violation of a no-contact order a first-degree misdemeanor, authorize warrantless arrest on probable cause, and require detention until first appearance in certain cases. The amendment and the bill, as amended, were both adopted and reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1536 on digital voyeurism, which would extend the expectation of privacy to backyards in the surveillance statute; it was reported favorably after brief questions and support from a Florida Smart Justice Alliance witness. Members next considered SB 1012 on inmate services. The bill would expand use of contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust funds for reintegration and facility upgrades, and would require reimbursement for inmate emergency and specialty medical services at Medicaid rates, with telehealth and autonomous APRNs included as options. Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida opposed the bill as written, warning that tying Medicaid participation to treatment of inmates could reduce reimbursement and discourage provider participation, while the Department of Corrections and Florida Smart Justice Alliance supported it. Senators discussed costs, aging inmates, and possible future changes, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS for SB 600 on bail bond and pretrial release laws after adopting a strike-all that aligned it with the House companion and made technical changes to solicitation, training, and bond reinstatement rules. Public testimony raised concerns about who should receive returned bond money and how clerks would process payments, but the sponsor said the bill would continue to be refined. Later, the committee reconsidered and favorably reported SB 1750 on criminal sexual conduct, which increases penalties and mandatory minimums for serious sex crimes, especially those involving children. It also reconsidered and favorably reported SB 1544 on complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers, a bill requiring complainants to provide sworn complaints to officers before interrogation unless corroborating evidence is present; police chiefs and sexual violence advocates opposed parts of the bill, while supporters argued it would protect officers from unfounded complaints. Finally, SB 1488 on booking officer duties regarding minor children of arrested persons was reported favorably, and SB 1326 on prosecution of defamation was taken up for reconsideration with a delete-all amendment that narrowed the insanity defense, limited mitigation for severe mental illness in serious cases, and extended detention periods for incompetent defendants; opposition testimony from defense, public defender, and mental health advocates warned it would worsen treatment and increase costs.

Bills: SB 251, SB 608, SB 487, SB 535, SB 761, SB 955, SB 957, SB 958, SB 988, SB 990, SB 1019, SB 1021, SB 1120

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, sexual assault, victim rights, plea bargain

Transcript Highlights:

• our rape offenses, aggravated kidnapping, other forms of kidnapping, sexual battery of a child, etc.
• battery prosecuted under particular provisions; second degree sexual battery; aggravated kidnapping
• provisions, second degree sexual battery, aggravated kidnapping of a child who's not attained the age
• Aggravated crime against nature involving sexual intercourse, second degree sexual battery, oral sexual
• crime against nature, sexual battery of persons with infirmities, trafficking of children, aggravated

Bills: HB51, HB58, HB69, HB82, HB93, HB143, HB166, HB231, HB429, HB806, HB884

Keywords: bail, conviction, aggravated offense, minors, constitutional amendment, bail reform, post-conviction, minor victims, legal rights, ignition interlock device, DUI, public safety, vehicle operation, criminal justice reform, DWI, driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, penalties, criminal justice, jury commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Francis over a two-week period with an assault rifle on his back. ...test, sometimes wearing a ski mask
• Texas is currently solving 55% of murders, 43% of assaults, and 16% of sexual assaults.
• We're currently only solving around 53 percent of homicides and less than 20 percent of rapes and sexual
• assaults.
• nearly a quarter of... of incarcerated women that have been trafficked or coerced into committing sexual

Bills: SB614, SB872, SB1199, SB1212, SB1278, SB1573, SB1588, SB1602, SB1660, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2146, SB2177, SB2373, SB2460, SB2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• A sexual assault in the county and there was a sample, a DNA sample taken from the victim.
• In a fresh case, let's say, where there was a new sexual assault kit, is that entered immediately?
• If our sexual assault kits and forensic casework are in laboratories and they're not being tested in
• Let's just say if it was something in the past, for instance, a sexual assault that had happened, you
• circumstances, such as sexual assault, murder, indecency with a child, child pornography, and other

Bills: SB614, SB872, SB1199, SB1212, SB1278, SB1573, SB1588, SB1602, SB1660, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2146, SB2177, SB2373, SB2460, SB2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• Francis repeatedly over a two-week period with an assault rifle on his back, a holstered handgun, a camera
• Texas is currently solving 55% of murders, 43% of assaults, and 16% of sexual assaults.
• designed to assist local law enforcement agencies in improving their clearance rates for violent and sexual
• We're currently only solving around 53% of homicides and less than 20% of rapes and sexual assaults,
• groups indicate that nearly 25% of incarcerated women have been trafficked or coerced in committing sexual

Bills: SB 614, SB 872, SB 1199, SB 1212, SB 1278, SB 1573, SB 1588, SB 1602, SB 1660, SB 1704, SB 1723, SB 1833, SB 1858, SB 1946, SB 2009, SB 2146, SB 2177, SB 2373, SB 2460, SB 2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a statewide sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• It establishes a statewide sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator for the state of Louisiana, housed
• increasing access and care and integrity of evidence collection for survivors of sexual assaults.
• The activities of a sexual assault nurse examiner and persons involved in the response to sexual assaults
• It falls within confidential information, medical records of a sexual assault survivor.

Bills: HR9, HB709, HB1011, HB1057, HB1186, HB1245, HB1247, SB49, SB425, SB479

Keywords: human rights, individual liberties, Magna Carta, constitutionalism, free speech, Uniform Construction Code, building code, construction code, inspector licensing, building inspectors, plans examiners, public inspector, private inspector, private inspector company, building official, code enforcement, Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission, state fire marshal, International Building Code, International Residential Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Of sexual abuse? Yeah. Do you think that you served were survivors of sexual abuse? Yeah.
• When we actually revoke business licenses for labor law violations like sexual assault or discrimination
• Don't paint sex workers who are for violent sexual assault done by business owners.
• My name is Zila Adams, and I'm currently a lead advocate for victims of sexual assault, DV, and human
• My name is Zila Adams and I'm currently a lead advocate for victims of sexual assault, DV, and human

Bills: HB1591, HB2209, HB2403, HB2526

Keywords: domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, survivor protections, legal remedies, defendants, theft, robbery, sentencing enhancements, criminal justice, property crimes, failure to register, registration requirements, public safety, law enforcement, prostitution, public health, criminal justice reform, community safety, 904

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2209, which would add 12- or 24-month sentencing enhancements for certain theft-related offenses when the value of stolen, possessed, or trafficked property exceeds $20,000 or $50,000. The sponsor, Rep. Mari Leavitt, said the bill is intended to address organized retail theft and related fencing operations, arguing that the crime is tied to broader public safety harms, underreported by businesses, and costly to retailers, workers, consumers, and the state. Supporters from prosecutors, law enforcement, retailers, and local governments said the bill targets the most serious repeat offenders and would improve accountability. Opponents from defense and civil legal groups argued that sentencing enhancements are ineffective, that retail theft is overstated, and that the bill would further increase incarceration and racial disparities. The hearing on HB 2209 was closed after public testimony; no vote was taken. The committee also heard House Bill 2403, a proposed substitute dealing with failure to register as a sex offender or kidnapping offender. Staff explained that the bill would lower the seriousness level for a second or subsequent failure-to-register offense, while preserving a felony response and adding community custody. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Sex Offender Policy Board, the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, prosecutors, public defenders, and sheriffs and police chiefs, who described the measure as a better use of resources and a way to improve compliance. The ranking member raised public safety concerns, but the bill was presented as a negotiated, unanimous recommendation from the policy board. The hearing was brief and concluded without action. House Bill 1591, concerning sentencing, resentencing, and vacating convictions for defendants who are verified survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, was also heard. Staff said the proposed substitute would create a sentencing alternative, allow resentencing for some currently incarcerated people, permit vacating convictions in qualifying cases, and require a report on implementation. Supporters, including prosecutors involved in a survivor diversion program, advocates, researchers, and a witness from Oklahoma, said many survivors are criminalized because of abuse and that the bill would give courts a structured way to consider that context. Prosecutors and law enforcement expressed concerns that the bill could create too much discretion, extend beyond self-defense-type situations, and potentially affect public safety or sentencing consistency. The hearing ended with testimony from an Oklahoma advocate describing that state’s similar law and its limited use so far. Finally, the committee began public testimony on House Bill 2526, which would rename patronizing a prostitute as commercial sexual exploitation, expand the offense to include providing anything of value, elevate it from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and increase associated fees. The sponsor said the bill is aimed at reducing demand from sex buyers and addressing trafficking and violence against women, children, and other vulnerable people. Supporters, including prosecutors, police, and tribal health advocates, described the bill as a tool to deter buyers and reduce exploitation. Opponents and people with lived experience argued that criminalizing buyers would push the market underground, harm consensual sex workers, and fail to address poverty, housing, and other root causes. The hearing was still underway when the transcript ended, and no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Bills: SB1192, SB1264, SB1284, SB1810, SB1921

Keywords: substance abuse, counseling, assessment fees, mental health, alcohol and drug programs, domestic violence, domestic abuse, assault and battery, assault, battery, strangulation, dangerous weapon, family or household member, intimate partner, pregnant woman, great bodily injury, batterers intervention program, batterers' intervention, anger management, victim safety

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met and first laid over Senate Bill 1284 by Vice Chair Hamilton until the following week. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1192 by Senator Mann, which would raise the DUI assessment fee from $160 to $200 to help stabilize independent assessment providers; members asked about who pays the fee and whether there was a fiscal impact, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1264 by Senator Gillespie, which expands the definition of great bodily injury to include concussions, prolonged pain, and injuries affecting more than 10% of the victim’s body, and adds coverage for offenses committed in the presence of a minor; after questions about the new standards and duplicate repealer language, it passed 7-0. Senate Bill 1921 by Senator Murdock was heard next. It increases OSBI background check fees, including criminal history and fingerprint-based checks, with the added revenue intended for electronic infrastructure and staffing; members questioned whether the fees would be charged to requesting agencies as well as individuals, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1810 by Senator Weaver, an Attorney General request bill that would allow human trafficking expert testimony in court and add human trafficking victims to the list of persons eligible for Attorney General Victim Service Unit services; Senator Weaver explained the need for specialized testimony and victim support, and the bill advanced 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• victims of burglaries involved in sexual assault and stalking.
• assault, Brett Ligon: Indecency, sexual assault, and stalking to victims of burglaries as well.
• assault.
• It expands protections for victims of sexual assault and abuse by broadening the duty to intervene or
• It extends the statute of limitations for failure to report the sexual assault of a child, allowing more

Bills: HB 33, HB 45, HB 48, HB 1261, HB 1465, HB 1778, HB 2596, HB 5238, SB 2969

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Bills: SB1192, SB1264, SB1284, SB1810, SB1921

Keywords: substance abuse, counseling, assessment fees, mental health, alcohol and drug programs, domestic violence, domestic abuse, assault and battery, assault, battery, strangulation, dangerous weapon, family or household member, intimate partner, pregnant woman, great bodily injury, batterers intervention program, batterers' intervention, anger management, victim safety

Transcript Highlights:

• assault under section 22.011 or under aggravated sexual assault, which is section 22.021 of the Penal
• and aggravated sexual assault to offer extraneous evidence of.
• assault and aggravated sexual assault.
• the sexual assault of 949 victims.
• I just want to remind everybody that we're talking about sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault

Bills: HB207, HB235, HB324, HB449, HB463, HB502, HB 1121, HB1445, HB1465, HB1778, HB1977, HB2000, HB2066, HB2596, HB207, HB235

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Bills: HB207, HB235, HB324, HB449, HB463, HB502, HB 1121, HB1445, HB1465, HB1778, HB1977, HB2000, HB2066, HB2596, HB207, HB235

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Transcript Highlights:

• harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
• harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policy.
• University students face a heightened risk, with 13% nationwide experiencing sexual assault and 5.8%.
• Alarmingly, an estimated 90% of campus sexual assaults go unreported.
• of work also looking at sexual assaults on college campuses.

Bills: SB800, SB1534, SB2055, SB2310, SB2431, SB2786, SB3039, SB1242

Keywords: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, higher education, student safety, orientation policies, health physics, workforce development, nuclear energy, radiological safety, scholarship, education, Texas Leadership Scholars Program, student funding, transparency, degree requirements, certificate programs, student transfer, foreign language

Transcript Highlights:

• also the passage in 2019 of the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights. ...in 2019 of the Sexual Assault
• aggravated assault?
• be... aggravated assault would be the actual contact, where aggravated assault would be use of a deadly
• You want to know the difference between assault and aggravated assault.
• So simple assault is just, there's no... ...difference between assault and aggravated assault.

Bills: HB99, HJR5, HM39, HB206, HB213, SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights established the standard that testing of sexual
• And Madam Chair, expert, can you remind me the difference between assault and aggravated assault?
• The question is the difference between assault and aggravated assault. So, um, I...
• aggravated assault would be the actual contact, where your aggravated assault would be use of a deadly
• You want to know the difference between an assault and aggravated assault.

Bills: HB99, HJR5, HM39, HB206, HB213, SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform measure. Sponsor Chair Chandler and Minority Leader Armstrong described months of stakeholder negotiations aimed at balancing patient compensation with concerns from physicians, hospitals, and insurers about litigation costs, punitive damages, and access to care. The committee substitute kept the existing monetary damage caps but changed several provisions, including definitions of “occurrence” and “value of medical care,” treatment of future medical expenses, a higher clear-and-convincing standard for punitive damages, a two-step process before punitive damages can be pled, and a lower punitive-damages cap for smaller providers versus a higher cap for large hospital systems. Supporters said the bill would help recruit and retain doctors and stabilize the malpractice market; opponents argued it weakens accountability, especially for corporate and out-of-state hospital systems, and several speakers urged a stronger amendment to preserve patient rights. After debate, the committee voted 10-0 to give the House Judiciary Committee substitute for HB 99 a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Joint Resolution 5, which would amend the state constitution to allow legislative compensation. Sponsors and supporters said paying legislators would make service more accessible to working people, parents, rural residents, and others without independent wealth, and would broaden representation. Several advocacy groups and individual commenters backed the proposal, while members raised questions about the pay formula, with the resolution tying compensation to the state median income. Some members supported the idea but preferred a salary commission or a different mechanism. The committee approved HJR 5 on a 7-3 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing House Memorial 39, which calls for a task force to study the current state of sexual assault examination kits and report on backlog progress. Sponsor Rep. Ferrari and the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs explained that a prior task force a decade ago found more than 5,000 untested kits and led to policy changes, including the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights and a statewide tracking system. The memorial is intended to reassess whether backlogs remain and recommend further fixes.