SB 836 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to victims of sex offenses, sex-based human trafficking offenses, or acts of a sexual nature and to the confidentiality of or restrictions on the availability of certain property, material, or information regarding those victims, offenses, or acts.

SB 836 protects victims of sex offenses, sex-based human trafficking, or sexual acts by restricting how medical evidence from their examinations can be used. The bill prohibits courts from using such evidence to investigate or prosecute minor offenses committed by the victim themselves, requires all related evidence to be sealed by the court after proceedings, and limits public access to visual recordings of victims. It directly affects victims in criminal cases, ensuring their medical exam details and related materials cannot be shared publicly or used against them in unrelated minor charges. The law creates clear safeguards to prevent re-traumatization and protect privacy during legal processes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · May 13, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Texas laws to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault and trafficking, including stricter rules on evidence handling, expanded victim rights notices, and new provisions for pseudonym use to protect victim identities. The changes also prohibit electronic broadcasting of court proceedings involving sexual offense cases without victim consent.
Scope change
The bill applies to court hearings and proceedings that commence on or after September 1, 2025, and to peace officer investigations or responses occurring on or after that same date.
REQUIREMENT

Added new articles to the Code of Criminal Procedure governing discovery of evidence depicting invasive visual recordings of persons 14 years or older, requiring courts to allow discovery while maintaining protective orders.

Modified Article 38.435 to prohibit use of evidence from forensic medical examinations to investigate or prosecute misdemeanor offenses or offenses committed by the victim from whom evidence was collected.

Added requirements for peace officers to provide comprehensive written notices to sexual assault victims about their rights, including forensic medical examination, evidence tracking, and protective order options.

Added new provisions allowing victims to use pseudonyms in public records and court proceedings, with strict confidentiality requirements for handling pseudonym forms.

Added prohibition on electronic transmission or broadcasting of court proceedings involving sexual offenses unless express consent is obtained from the victim, state attorney, and defendant.

TIMELINE

Established September 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new provisions.

Floor votes · House Apr 28, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
48
Key actions
16
Committee
9
Amendments
3
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage reported
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 28, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (146-0)
house
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
5 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors