HB 4139 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the use of videography in certain court proceedings.

HB 4139 restricts the use of videography (including livestreaming) in specific court proceedings to protect sensitive cases. It prohibits recording during jury selection and in cases involving child victims (under 18) of certain crimes like sexual assault or family violence, as well as in adult victim cases (18+) for similar offenses - unless the victim voluntarily consents. The bill clarifies that recorded forensic interviews remain admissible as evidence and allows limited court staff use for operational/security purposes. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to cases beginning after that date.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 27, 2025 Last action May 9, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 8 edits · May 8, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was substantially rewritten to expand protections for victims in court proceedings by adding new restrictions on videography use and requiring advance notice. The scope was significantly broadened to include more specific criminal offenses and new requirements for court staff videography use.
Scope change
Expanded from basic restrictions to include detailed offense categories, victim notification requirements, and new exemptions for remote proceedings
REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for 72-hour advance notice to jurors and parties before videography recording, plus public internet posting of notice

Added new exemption allowing videography for remote court proceedings if recordings are not retained for later circulation

Changed victim authorization language from 'voluntarily authorize' to requiring court notification of right to authorize

Removed requirement that videography of jurors can only occur after discharge from jury duty

Added new restriction preventing videography during conferences held outside jury hearing

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded list of offenses where videography is prohibited to include additional Penal Code sections beyond the original three categories

Expanded family violence definition to include more specific Penal Code sections related to family violence offenses

DEFINITION

Clarified videography definition to explicitly include livestreaming

Floor votes · House May 7, 2025

How they voted

13111
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 145
May 7, 2025
D Democratic59
59 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican86
72 Yea 11 Nay 3
83% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 9, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 7, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (131-11-3)
house
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors