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
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
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
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Ana Hernandez
DDemocratic
P
Donna Howard
DDemocratic
P
Ellen Troxclair
RRepublican
P
J.M. Lozano
RRepublican
P
Jeff Leach
RRepublican
Co
Andy Hopper
RRepublican
Co
Briscoe Cain
RRepublican
Co
Claudia Ordaz
DDemocratic
Co
Cody Vasut
RRepublican
Co
Daniel Alders
RRepublican
Co
David Lowe
RRepublican
Co
Denise Villalobos
RRepublican
Co
Joanne Shofner
RRepublican
Co
Josey Garcia
DDemocratic
Co
Keresa Richardson
RRepublican
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