HB 3618 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to certain searches of female inmates by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

HB 3618 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to create policies governing searches of female inmates. It mandates that searches involving unclothed female inmates must be conducted by a female officer when available, and if a male officer must conduct such a search, they must submit a written report within 72 hours. The bill also limits visual body cavity searches (a visual inspection of genital or anal areas with clothing removed) to only "exigent circumstances" like immediate security threats - not routine program access like education or rehabilitation. These policies apply directly to female inmates in TDCJ facilities and must be adopted by September 1, 2025.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 25, 2025 Last action Apr 30, 2025
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to Corrections
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
5 primary · 14 co-sponsors

Sponsors