HB 1741 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to certain proceedings and the provision of treatment and supervision following certain adjudications occurring in a criminal case.

HB 1741 creates a process for transferring jurisdiction over acquitted individuals requiring court-ordered outpatient or community-based mental health treatment to another county. It allows either party to file a motion to transfer jurisdiction to a county where the person has an existing support network (like family) or prior treatment, provided the new county has available resources and the local mental health authority agrees. The court must evaluate factors including resource availability, community safety, and the "nexus" between the person and the proposed county before approving the transfer. This bill directly affects individuals acquitted in criminal cases who need ongoing mental health treatment but are not required to be confined.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 6 edits · Apr 24, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Texas law to clarify how jurisdiction is transferred for acquitted persons receiving outpatient or community-based treatment. It removes outdated language about specific counties and adds clearer criteria for when courts should accept jurisdiction in a different county, including requirements for safety, available resources, and a demonstrated connection between the person and the new county.
Scope change
The bill expands clarity on when jurisdiction can be transferred to a different county, specifically for acquitted persons seeking outpatient or community-based treatment, and adds a new article (46C.2645) to the Code of Criminal Procedure governing these transfers.
REQUIREMENT

Replaced vague language about 'appropriate county' with specific criteria requiring that the person can be safely supervised, sufficient resources are available, and the local mental health authority has been notified.

Added a new article (46C.2645) establishing a formal process for transferring jurisdiction over acquitted persons to counties other than where the committing court is located.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that transfers are only allowed when the acquitted person has a demonstrated nexus to the proposed county, such as an active support network or prior receipt of mental health services in that county within the last five years.

TIMELINE

Set a specific deadline of September 1, 2025, for the Act to take effect, and established a 21-day timeline for courts to hold hearings on transfer motions.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'local intellectual and developmental disability authority' and 'local mental health authority' to ensure consistent interpretation of the law.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated the requirements for motions to transfer jurisdiction to include specific statements about notification of local authorities, safety of treatment, and factors supporting the transfer.

Floor votes · House Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

1470
Passed
Total votes 147
Apr 23, 2025
D Democratic60
60 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican87
87 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
9
Committee
9
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Health
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors