Relating to certain rights of crime victims and witnesses and associated persons and to victim impact statements.
SB 1704 expands rights for crime victims, witnesses, and their close relatives in Texas criminal cases. It requires law enforcement to provide safety protection, mandates courts to consider victim safety when setting bail, and ensures victims receive timely updates about court proceedings, sentencing changes, and appeals. Victims gain the right to share impact statements before sentencing and access clear information about victim compensation programs, forensic exam payments for sexual assault victims, and social services. The bill directly affects individuals involved in criminal cases who have experienced trauma or loss.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Last action May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
5 edits
·
May 9, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Texas criminal procedure laws to strengthen victim rights, particularly regarding victim impact statements, notification of parole proceedings, and protections for child victims. The changes clarify how victims can receive information about defendants' parole status and add new procedures for handling cases involving child victims.
Scope change
The bill expands protections for victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system, with specific new provisions for child victims and enhanced notification requirements.
REQUIREMENT
Added new Article 56A.1511 establishing a formal waiver process for victims to opt out of receiving certain notification information about defendants.
Modified victim impact statement requirements to include clearer statements of rights and specific information about parole proceedings that victims can request.
Added new protections for child victims, including requirements to notify courts when defendants with access to child victims are released on parole.
Updated notification procedures for victim and witness escapes or transfers from custody to clarify waiver processes and contact methods.
Added new right for capital felony victims to designate a victim service provider to receive communications from victim outreach specialists.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
25
Key actions
4
Committee
5
May 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
lower
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 9, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Joan Huffman
RRepublican
P
Tan Parker
RRepublican
Co
Borris Miles
DDemocratic
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