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HB 47
Texas House•Passed
Summary
HB 47, “Relating to sexual assault and other sex offenses”, was introduced in the House on Mar 14, 2025 by Rep. Donna Howard (D) with 11 co-sponsors. It last saw action on Jun 20, 2025: Effective on 9/1/25.
Record
Text
HB 47 has 11 co-sponsors and 4 roll calls.
hb47/enrolled.txtH.B. No. 47AN ACTrelating to sexual assault and other sex offenses.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:SECTION 1. Article 29.14(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, isamended to read as follows:(a) In this article, "victim" means a [the] victim of [anassault or] sexual assault or a victim of assault who is youngerthan 17 years of age or whose case involves family violence asdefined by Section 71.004, Family Code.SECTION 2. Article 56A.051(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,is amended to read as follows:(a) A victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of adeceased victim is entitled to the following rights within thecriminal justice system:(1) the right to receive from a law enforcement agencyadequate protection from harm and threats of harm arising fromcooperation with prosecution efforts;(2) the right to have the magistrate consider thesafety of the victim or the victim's family in setting the amount ofbail for the defendant;(3) if requested, the right to be informed in themanner provided by Article 56A.0525:(A) by the attorney representing the state ofrelevant court proceedings, including appellate proceedings, andto be informed if those proceedings have been canceled orrescheduled before the event; and(B) by an appellate court of the court'sdecisions, after the decisions are entered but before the decisionsare made public;(4) when requested, the right to be informed in themanner provided by Article 56A.0525:(A) by a peace officer concerning the defendant'sright to bail and the procedures in criminal investigations; and(B) by the office of the attorney representingthe state concerning the general procedures in the criminal justicesystem, including general procedures in guilty plea negotiationsand arrangements, restitution, and the appeals and parole process;(5) the right to provide pertinent information to acommunity supervision and corrections department conducting apresentencing investigation concerning the impact of the offense onthe victim and the victim's family by testimony, written statement,or any other manner before any sentencing of the defendant;(6) the right to receive information, in the mannerprovided by Article 56A.0525:(A) regarding compensation to victims of crime asprovided by Chapter 56B, including information related to the coststhat may be compensated under that chapter and the amount ofcompensation, eligibility for compensation, and procedures forapplication for compensation under that chapter;(B) for a victim of a sexual assault, regardingthe payment under Subchapter G for a forensic medical examinationand for any prescribed continuing medical care that is related tothe sexual assault and provided to the victim during the 30-dayperiod following that examination, as provided by Subchapter G; and(C) when requested, providing a referral toavailable social service agencies that may offer additionalassistance;(7) the right to:(A) be informed, on request, and in the mannerprovided by Article 56A.0525, of parole procedures;(B) participate in the parole process;(C) provide to the board for inclusion in thedefendant's file information to be considered by the board beforethe parole of any defendant convicted of any offense subject to thischapter; and(D) be notified in the manner provided by Article56A.0525, if requested, of parole proceedings concerning adefendant in the victim's case and of the defendant's release;(8) the right to be provided with a waiting area,separate or secure from other witnesses, including the defendantand relatives of the defendant, before testifying in any proceedingconcerning the defendant; if a separate waiting area is notavailable, other safeguards should be taken to minimize thevictim's contact with the defendant and the defendant's relativesand witnesses, before and during court proceedings;(9) the right to the prompt return of any of thevictim's property that is held by a law enforcement agency or theattorney representing the state as evidence when the property is nolonger required for that purpose;(10) the right to have the attorney representing thestate notify the victim's employer, if requested, that the victim'scooperation and testimony is necessary in a proceeding that mayrequire the victim to be absent from work for good cause;(11) the right to request victim-offender mediationcoordinated by the victim services division of the department;(12) the right to be informed, in the manner providedby Article 56A.0525, of the uses of a victim impact statement andthe statement's purpose in the criminal justice system as describedby Subchapter D, to complete the victim impact statement, and tohave the victim impact statement considered:(A) by the attorney representing the state andthe judge before sentencing or before a plea bargain agreement isaccepted; and(B) by the board before a defendant is releasedon parole;(13) for a victim of sexual [an] assault or a victim of[or sexual] assault who is younger than 17 years of age or whosecase involves family violence, as defined by Section 71.004, FamilyCode, the right to have the court consider the impact on the victimof a continuance requested by the defendant; if requested by theattorney representing the state or by the defendant's attorney, thecourt shall state on the record the reason for granting or denyingthe continuance; and(14) if the offense is a capital felony, the right to:(A) receive by mail from the court a writtenexplanation of defense-initiated victim outreach if the court hasauthorized expenditures for a defense-initiated victim outreachspecialist;(B) not be contacted by the victim outreachspecialist unless the victim, guardian, or relative has consentedto the contact by providing a written notice to the court; and(C) designate a victim service provider toreceive all communications from a victim outreach specialist actingon behalf of any person.SECTION 3. Article 56A.052(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,is amended to read as follows:(a) A victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of adeceased victim of an offense under Section 21.02, 21.11, 22.011,22.012, 22.021, or 42.072, Penal Code, is entitled to the followingrights within the criminal justice system:(1) if requested, the right to a disclosure ofinformation, in the manner provided by Article 56A.0525, regarding:(A) any evidence that was collected during theinvestigation of the offense, unless disclosing the informationwould interfere with the investigation or prosecution of theoffense, in which event the victim, guardian, or relative shall beinformed of the estimated date on which that information isexpected to be disclosed; and(B) the status of any analysis being performed onany evidence described by Paragraph (A);(2) if requested, the right to be notified in themanner provided by Article 56A.0525:(A) at the time a request is submitted to a crimelaboratory to process and analyze any evidence that was collectedduring the investigation of the offense;(B) at the time of the submission of a request tocompare any biological evidence collected during the investigationof the offense with DNA profiles maintained in a state or federalDNA database; and(C) of the results of the comparison described byParagraph (B), unless disclosing the results would interfere withthe investigation or prosecution of the offense, in which event thevictim, guardian, or relative shall be informed of the estimateddate on which those results are expected to be disclosed;(3) if requested, the right to counseling regardingacquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection;(4) if requested, the right to be informed about, andconfer with the attorney representing the state regarding, thedisposition of the offense, including sharing the victim's,guardian's, or relative's views regarding:(A) a decision not to file charges;(B) the dismissal of charges;(C) the use of a pretrial intervention program;or(D) a plea bargain agreement; and(5) for the victim, the right to:(A) testing for acquired immune deficiencysyndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection,antibodies to HIV, or infection with any other probable causativeagent of AIDS; [and](B) a forensic medical examination as provided bySubchapter G; and(C) any prescribed continuing medical care thatis related to the sexual assault and provided to the victim duringthe 30-day period following a forensic medical examination, asprovided by Subchapter G.SECTION 4. Article 56A.304(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,is amended to read as follows:(a) On application to the attorney general and subject toArticle 56A.305(e), a health care provider that provides a forensicmedical examination to a sexual assault survivor in accordance withthis subchapter, or the sexual assault examiner or sexual assaultnurse examiner who conducts that examination in accordance withthis subchapter, as applicable, is entitled to be reimbursed in anamount set by attorney general rule for:(1) the reasonable costs of the forensic portion ofthat examination;(2) the evidence collection kit; and(3) the reasonable costs of other medical careprovided to the victim during the forensic medical examination inaccordance with Subchapters A and B, Chapter 323, Health and SafetyCode, and of any prescribed continuing medical care that is relatedto the sexual assault and provided to the victim during the 30-dayperiod following that examination, including medication andmedical testing.SECTION 5. Article 56A.401, Code of Criminal Procedure, isamended to read as follows:Art. 56A.401. NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS. At the initialcontact or at the earliest possible time after the initial contactbetween a victim of a reported offense and the law enforcementagency having the responsibility for investigating the offense, theagency shall provide the victim a written notice containing:(1) information about the availability of emergencyand medical services, if applicable;(2) information about the rights of crime victimsunder Subchapter B;(3) notice that the victim has the right to receiveinformation:(A) regarding compensation to victims of crime asprovided by Chapter 56B, including information relating to thecosts that may be compensated under that chapter and the amount ofcompensation, eligibility for compensation, and procedures forapplication for compensation under that chapter;(B) for a victim of a sexual assault, regardingthe payment under Subchapter G for a forensic medical examinationand for any prescribed continuing medical care that is related tothe sexual assault and provided to the victim during the 30-dayperiod following that examination, as provided by Subchapter G; and(C) providing a referral to available socialservice agencies that may offer additional assistance;(4) the name, address, and phone number of the lawenforcement agency's crime victim liaison;(5) the name, address, and phone number of the victimassistance coordinator of the office of the attorney representingthe state; and(6) the following statement:"You may call the law enforcement agency's telephone numberfor the status of the case and information about victims' rights."SECTION 6. Article 56A.451(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,is amended to read as follows:(a) Not later than the 10th day after the date that anindictment or information is returned against a defendant for anoffense, the attorney representing the state shall give to eachvictim of the offense a written notice containing:(1) the case number and assigned court for the case;(2) a brief general statement of each procedural stagein the processing of a criminal case, including bail, pleabargaining, parole restitution, and appeal;(3) suggested steps the victim may take if the victimis subjected to threats or intimidation;(4) the name, address, and phone number of the localvictim assistance coordinator; and(5) notification of:(A) the rights and procedures under this chapter,Chapter 56B, and Subchapter B, Chapter 58;(B) the right to file a victim impact statementwith the office of the attorney representing the state and thedepartment;(C) the right to receive information:(i) regarding compensation to victims ofcrime as provided by Chapter 56B, including information relating tothe costs that may be compensated under that chapter, eligibilityfor compensation, and procedures for application for compensationunder that chapter;(ii) for a victim of a sexual assault,regarding the payment under Subchapter G for a forensic medicalexamination and for any prescribed continuing medical care that isrelated to the sexual assault and provided to the victim during the30-day period following that examination, as provided by SubchapterG; and(iii) providing a referral to availablesocial service agencies that may offer additional assistance; and(D) the right of a victim, guardian of a victim,or close relative of a deceased victim, as defined by Section508.117, Government Code, to appear in person before a member of theboard as provided by Section 508.153, Government Code.SECTION 7. Article 62.063, Code of Criminal Procedure, isamended to read as follows:Art. 62.063. PROHIBITED EMPLOYMENT. (a) In this article:(1) "Amusement ride" has the meaning assigned bySection 2151.002, Occupations Code.(2) "Bus" has the meaning assigned by Section 541.201,Transportation Code.(3) "Digitally prearranged ride" has the meaningassigned by Section 2402.001, Occupations Code.(b) A person subject to registration under this chapterbecause of a reportable conviction or adjudication for which anaffirmative finding is entered under Article 42.015(b) or42A.105(a), as appropriate, may not, for compensation:(1) operate or offer to operate a bus;(2) provide or offer to provide a passenger taxicab orlimousine transportation service, or a digitally prearranged ride;(3) provide or offer to provide any type of service inthe residence of another person unless the provision of servicewill be supervised; or(4) operate or offer to operate any amusement ride.SECTION 8. Section 57.002(a), Family Code, is amended toread as follows:(a) A victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of adeceased victim is entitled to the following rights within thejuvenile justice system:(1) the right to receive from law enforcement agenciesadequate protection from harm and threats of harm arising fromcooperation with prosecution efforts;(2) the right to have the court or person appointed bythe court take the safety of the victim or the victim's family intoconsideration as an element in determining whether the child shouldbe detained before the child's conduct is adjudicated;(3) the right, if requested, to be informed ofrelevant court proceedings, including appellate proceedings, andto be informed in a timely manner if those court proceedings havebeen canceled or rescheduled;(4) the right to be informed, when requested, by thecourt or a person appointed by the court concerning the proceduresin the juvenile justice system, including general proceduresrelating to:(A) the preliminary investigation and deferredprosecution of a case; and(B) the appeal of the case;(5) the right to provide pertinent information to ajuvenile court conducting a disposition hearing concerning theimpact of the offense on the victim and the victim's family bytestimony, written statement, or any other manner before the courtrenders its disposition;(6) the right to receive information:(A) regarding compensation to victims asprovided by Chapter 56B, Code of Criminal Procedure, includinginformation relating to the costs that may be compensated underthat chapter and the amount of compensation, eligibility forcompensation, and procedures for application for compensationunder that chapter;(B) for a victim of a sexual assault, regardingthe payment under Subchapter G, Chapter 56A, Code of CriminalProcedure, for a forensic medical examination and for anyprescribed continuing medical care that is related to the sexualassault and provided to the victim during the 30-day periodfollowing that examination; and(C) when requested, providing a referral toavailable social service agencies that may offer additionalassistance;(7) the right to be informed, upon request, ofprocedures for release under supervision or transfer of the personto the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice forparole, to participate in the release or transfer for paroleprocess, to be notified, if requested, of the person's release,escape, or transfer for parole proceedings concerning the person,to provide to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for inclusionin the person's file information to be considered by the departmentbefore the release under supervision or transfer for parole of theperson, and to be notified, if requested, of the person's release ortransfer for parole;(8) the right to be provided with a waiting area,separate or secure from other witnesses, including the childalleged to have committed the conduct and relatives of the child,before testifying in any proceeding concerning the child, or, if aseparate waiting area is not available, other safeguards should betaken to minimize the victim's contact with the child and thechild's relatives and witnesses, before and during courtproceedings;(9) the right to prompt return of any property of thevictim that is held by a law enforcement agency or the attorney forthe state as evidence when the property is no longer required forthat purpose;(10) the right to have the attorney for the statenotify the employer of the victim, if requested, of the necessity ofthe victim's cooperation and testimony in a proceeding that maynecessitate the absence of the victim from work for good cause;(11) the right to be present at all public courtproceedings related to the conduct of the child as provided bySection 54.08, subject to that section; and(12) any other right appropriate to the victim that avictim of criminal conduct has under Subchapter B, Chapter 56A,Code of Criminal Procedure.SECTION 9. Section 420.011(c), Government Code, is amendedto read as follows:(c) The attorney general shall adopt rules establishingminimum standards for the certification of a sexual assault nurseexaminer and the renewal of that certification by the nurseexaminer, including standards for examiner training courses and forthe interstate reciprocity of sexual assault nurse examiners. Thecertification is valid for three [two] years from the date ofissuance. The attorney general shall also adopt rules establishingminimum standards for the suspension, decertification, orprobation of a sexual assault nurse examiner who violates thischapter.SECTION 10. Sections 323.0046(a) and (b), Health and SafetyCode, are amended to read as follows:(a) A health care facility that has an emergency departmentshall provide at least one hour of basic sexual assault responsetraining to facility employees and contractors who provide patientadmission functions, patient-related administrative supportfunctions, or direct patient care. The training must includeinstruction on:(1) the provision of survivor-centered,trauma-informed care to sexual assault survivors; and(2) the rights of sexual assault survivors underChapter 56A, Code of Criminal Procedure, including:(A) the availability of a forensic medicalexamination, including an examination that is available when asexual assault survivor does not report the assault to a lawenforcement agency; and(B) the role of an advocate as defined by Section420.003, Government Code, in responding to a sexual assaultsurvivor.(b) An employee or contractor described by Subsection (a)who completes a continuing medical or nursing education course inforensic evidence collection described by Section 156.057 or301.306, Occupations Code, that is approved or recognized by theappropriate licensing board is considered to have completed basicsexual assault response training for purposes of this section.SECTION 11. Section 323.005(a), Health and Safety Code, isamended to read as follows:(a) The commission shall develop a standard informationform for sexual assault survivors that must include:(1) a detailed explanation of the forensic medicalexamination required to be provided by law, including a statementthat photographs may be taken of the genitalia;(2) information regarding treatment of sexuallytransmitted infections and pregnancy, including:(A) generally accepted medical procedures;(B) appropriate medications; and(C) any contraindications of the medicationsprescribed for treating sexually transmitted infections andpreventing pregnancy;(3) information regarding drug-facilitated sexualassault, including the necessity for an immediate urine test forsexual assault survivors who may have been involuntarily drugged;(4) information regarding crime victims compensationand regarding the payment of costs and the reimbursements availablefor care to be provided as described by Subchapter G, Chapter 56A,Code of Criminal Procedure;(5) an explanation that consent for the forensicmedical examination may be withdrawn at any time during theexamination;(6) the name and telephone number of sexual assaultcrisis centers statewide;(7) the names and contact information of legal aidservices providers statewide;(8) information regarding postexposure prophylaxisfor HIV infection;(9) [(8)] information regarding the period for whichbiological evidence collected from the forensic medicalexamination will be retained and preserved under Article 38.43,Code of Criminal Procedure; and(10) [(9)] a statement that the survivor has the rightto access a shower for free after the forensic medical examination,if shower facilities are available at the health care facility.SECTION 12. Section 323.0051(a), Health and Safety Code, isamended to read as follows:(a) The commission shall develop a standard informationform for sexual assault survivors who arrive at a health carefacility that is not a SAFE-ready facility. The information formmust include:(1) information regarding the benefits of a forensicmedical examination conducted by a sexual assault forensicexaminer;(2) the Internet website address to the commission'slist of SAFE-ready facilities that includes the facilities'physical addresses as required by Section 323.008;(3) the following statements:(A) "As a survivor of sexual assault, you havethe right to receive a forensic medical examination for sexualassault at this hospital emergency room if you are requesting theexamination not later than 120 hours after the assault. For parentsor guardians of a minor child, your child has the right to receivethe forensic medical examination at any time, regardless of whenthe assault occurred."; and(B) "Call 1-800-656-HOPE to be connected to asexual assault crisis center for free and confidentialassistance."; [and](4) the names and contact information of legal aidservices providers statewide; and(5) information on the procedure for submitting acomplaint against the health care facility.SECTION 13. Section 323.0052(a), Health and Safety Code, isamended to read as follows:(a) The commission shall develop a standard informationform that, as described by Subsection (b), is to be provided tosexual assault survivors who have not given signed, written consentto a health care facility to release the evidence as provided bySection 420.0735, Government Code. The form must include thefollowing information:(1) the Department of Public Safety's policy regardingstorage of evidence of a sexual assault or other sex offense that iscollected under Subchapter G, Chapter 56A, Code of CriminalProcedure, including:(A) a statement that the evidence will be storeduntil the fifth anniversary of the date on which the evidence wascollected before the evidence becomes eligible for destruction; and(B) the department's procedures regarding thenotification of the survivor through the statewide electronictracking system before a planned destruction of the evidence;(2) a statement that the survivor may request therelease of the evidence to a law enforcement agency and report asexual assault or other sex offense to the agency at any time;(3) the name, phone number, and e-mail address of thelaw enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the offense; [and](4) the name and phone number of a local sexual assaultcrisis center; and(5) the names and contact information of legal aidservices providers statewide.SECTION 14. Section 323.053, Health and Safety Code, isamended to read as follows:Sec. 323.053. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR SAFE PROGRAMS. A SAFEprogram must:(1) operate under the active oversight of a medicaldirector who is a physician licensed by and in good standing withthe Texas Medical Board;(2) provide medical treatment under a physician'sorder, standing medical order, standing delegation order, or otherorder or protocol as defined by Texas Medical Board rules;(3) employ or contract with a sexual assault examineror a sexual assault nurse examiner;(4) provide access to a sexual assault programadvocate, as required by Subchapter H, Chapter 56A, Code ofCriminal Procedure;(5) ensure a sexual assault survivor has access to aprivate treatment room;(6) if indicated by a survivor's history or on asurvivor's request, provide:(A) HIV testing and prophylactic medication tothe survivor or a referral for the testing and medication; and(B) counseling and prophylactic medications forexposure to sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy;(7) provide to survivors the name and telephone numberof a nearby sexual assault program that provides to survivors theminimum services described by Subchapter A, Chapter 420, GovernmentCode;(8) provide to survivors the information form requiredby Section 323.005, 323.0051, or 323.0052, as applicable[, andorally communicate the information regarding crime victimscompensation under Section 323.005(a)(4)];(9) collaborate with any sexual assault program, asdefined by Section 420.003, Government Code, that provides servicesto survivors in the county;(10) engage in efforts to improve the quality of theprogram;(11) maintain capacity for appropriate triage or haveagreements with other health facilities to assure that a survivorreceives the appropriate level of care indicated for the survivor'smedical and mental health needs;(12) prioritize the safety and well-being ofsurvivors;(13) provide a trauma-informed approach in theforensic medical care provided to survivors; and(14) collaborate with:(A) law enforcement agencies and attorneysrepresenting the state with jurisdiction in the county;(B) any available local sexual assault responseteam; and(C) other interested persons in the community.SECTION 15. Section 351.257, Local Government Code, isamended to read as follows:Sec. 351.257. REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1 ofeach odd-numbered year, a response team shall provide to thecommissioners court of each county the response team serves areport that includes:(1) a list of response team members able toparticipate in the quarterly meetings required by Section351.254(c);(2) a copy of the written protocol developed underSection 351.256; and(3) either:(A) a biennial summary detailing:(i) the number of sexual assault reportsreceived by local law enforcement agencies;(ii) the number of investigations conductedas a result of those reports;(iii) the number of indictments presentedin connection with a report and the disposition of those cases; and(iv) the number of reports of sexualassault for which no indictment was presented; or(B) an explanation of the reason the responseteam failed to provide the information described by Paragraph (A).(b) Not later than February 1 of each even-numbered year,the commissioners court of each county that receives a reportdescribed by Subsection (a) during the preceding year shall submitthat report to the Sexual Assault Survivors' Task Force establishedunder Section 772.0064, Government Code.SECTION 16. Subchapter J, Chapter 351, Local GovernmentCode, is amended by adding Section 351.2571 to read as follows:Sec. 351.2571. NONCOMPLIANCE. Failure to comply with therequirements of Section 351.257 may be used to determineeligibility for receiving grant funds from the office of thegovernor or another state agency.SECTION 17. Section 156.057, Occupations Code, is amendedto read as follows:Sec. 156.057. CONTINUING EDUCATION IN FORENSIC EVIDENCECOLLECTION. (a) A physician licensed under this subtitle whosubmits an application for renewal of a license to practicemedicine and whose practice includes treating patients in anemergency room setting shall [may] complete at least two hours ofcontinuing medical education relating to:(1) the provision of trauma-informed care to sexualassault survivors;(2) appropriate community referrals and prophylacticmedications;(3) the rights of a sexual assault survivor underChapter 56A, Code of Criminal Procedure, including the opportunityto request the presence of an advocate as defined by Section420.003, Government Code, and a forensic medical examination;(4) forensic evidence collection methods; and(5) applicable state law pertaining to the custody,transfer, and tracking of forensic evidence.(b) The board shall adopt rules to establish the content ofcontinuing medical education relating to forensic evidencecollection. The content of the continuing medical education mustconform to the evidence collection protocol distributed by theattorney general under Section 420.031, Government Code. The boardmay adopt other rules to implement this section.(c) The board may permit the continuing medical educationunder this section to be counted toward the hours of continuingmedical education required by Section 156.051(a)(2).SECTION 18. Subchapter D, Chapter 204, Occupations Code, isamended by adding Section 204.1563 to read as follows:Sec. 204.1563. CONTINUING EDUCATION IN FORENSIC EVIDENCECOLLECTION. (a) A physician assistant licensed under this chapterwhose practice includes treating patients in an emergency roomsetting shall complete at least two hours of continuing medicaleducation relating to:(1) the provision of trauma-informed care to sexualassault survivors;(2) appropriate community referrals and prophylacticmedications;(3) the rights of a sexual assault survivor underChapter 56A, Code of Criminal Procedure, including the opportunityto request the presence of an advocate as defined by Section420.003, Government Code, and a forensic medical examination;(4) forensic evidence collection methods; and(5) applicable state law pertaining to the custody,transfer, and tracking of forensic evidence.(b) The content of the continuing medical educationrelating to forensic evidence collection must conform to theevidence collection protocol distributed by the attorney generalunder Section 420.031, Government Code.(c) The board may permit the continuing medical educationunder this section to be counted toward the continuing educationrequirements under Section 204.1562(a)(2).SECTION 19. Sections 2402.107(a) and (b), Occupations Code,are amended to read as follows:(a) Before permitting an individual to log in as a driver onthe company's digital network, a transportation network companymust:(1) confirm that the individual:(A) is at least 18 years of age;(B) maintains a valid driver's license issued bythis state, another state, or the District of Columbia; and(C) possesses proof of registration andautomobile financial responsibility for each motor vehicle to beused to provide digitally prearranged rides;(2) conduct, or cause to be conducted, a local, state,and national criminal background check for the individual thatincludes the use of:(A) a commercial multistate andmultijurisdiction criminal records locator or other similarcommercial nationwide database; [and](B) the national sex offender public websitemaintained by the United States Department of Justice or asuccessor agency; and(C) the state sex offender public websitemaintained by the Department of Public Safety; and(3) obtain and review the individual's driving record.(b) A transportation network company may not permit anindividual to log in as a driver on the company's digital network ifthe individual:(1) has been convicted in the three-year periodpreceding the issue date of the driving record obtained underSubsection (a)(3) of:(A) more than three offenses classified by theDepartment of Public Safety as moving violations; or(B) one or more of the following offenses:(i) fleeing or attempting to elude a policeofficer under Section 545.421, Transportation Code;(ii) reckless driving under Section545.401, Transportation Code;(iii) driving without a valid driver'slicense under Section 521.025, Transportation Code; or(iv) driving with an invalid driver'slicense under Section 521.457, Transportation Code;(2) has been convicted in the preceding seven-yearperiod of any of the following:(A) driving while intoxicated under Section49.04 or 49.045, Penal Code;(B) use of a motor vehicle to commit a felony;(C) a felony crime involving property damage;(D) fraud;(E) theft;(F) an act of violence; or(G) an act of terrorism; or(3) is found to be registered in the national sexoffender public website maintained by the United States Departmentof Justice or a successor agency or in the state sex offender publicwebsite maintained by the Department of Public Safety.SECTION 20. Section 92.0161(c), Property Code, is amendedto read as follows:(c) If the tenant is a victim or a parent or guardian of avictim of sexual assault under Section 22.011, Penal Code,aggravated sexual assault under Section 22.021, Penal Code,indecency with a child under Section 21.11, Penal Code, sexualperformance by a child under Section 43.25, Penal Code, continuoussexual abuse of young child or disabled individual under Section21.02, Penal Code, or an attempt to commit any of the foregoingoffenses under Section 15.01, Penal Code, that takes place duringthe preceding six-month period [on the premises or at any dwellingon the premises], the tenant shall provide to the landlord or thelandlord's agent a copy of:(1) documentation of the assault or abuse, orattempted assault or abuse, of the victim from a licensed healthcare services provider who examined the victim;(2) documentation of the assault or abuse, orattempted assault or abuse, of the victim from a licensed mentalhealth services provider who examined or evaluated the victim;(3) documentation of the assault or abuse, orattempted assault or abuse, of the victim from an individualauthorized under Chapter 420, Government Code, who providedservices to the victim; or(4) documentation of a protective order issued underSubchapter A, Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal Procedure, except for atemporary ex parte order.SECTION 21. Section 323.005(d), Health and Safety Code, isrepealed.SECTION 22. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter56A, Code of Criminal Procedure, apply only to a sexual assault orother sex offense that is first reported or for which medical careis first sought on or after the effective date of this Act. A sexualassault or other sex offense that is first reported or for whichmedical care was first sought before the effective date of this Actis governed by the law in effect on the date the sexual assault wasreported or the medical care was sought, and the former law iscontinued in effect for that purpose.SECTION 23. Section 420.011(c), Government Code, as amendedby this Act, applies only to an application for renewal of a sexualassault nurse examiner certificate filed on or after the effectivedate of this Act. An application for renewal of a certificate filedbefore the effective date of this Act is governed by the law ineffect on the date the application was filed, and the former law iscontinued in effect for that purpose.SECTION 24. Section 156.057, Occupations Code, as amendedby this Act, and Section 204.1563, Occupations Code, as added bythis Act, apply to an application for the renewal of a license filedon or after September 1, 2026. An application for the renewal of alicense filed before that date is governed by the law in effect onthe date the application was filed, and the former law is continuedin effect for that purpose.SECTION 25. Not later than June 1, 2026, the Texas MedicalBoard shall adopt the rules required by Section 156.057,Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.SECTION 26. Not later than June 1, 2026, the Texas PhysicianAssistant Board shall adopt rules to implement Section 204.1563,Occupations Code, as added by this Act.SECTION 27. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.____________________________________________________________President of the SenateSpeaker of the HouseI certify that H.B. No. 47 was passed by the House on May 1,2025, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, 7 present, notvoting.______________________________Chief Clerk of the HouseI certify that H.B. No. 47 was passed by the Senate on May 23,2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.______________________________Secretary of the SenateAPPROVED: _____________________Date_____________________Governor
Relating to sexual assault and other sex offenses.
Sponsors
Rep. Donna Howard (D) sponsors HB 47, and 11 members have co-sponsored it.

Rep. · D–48 · Sponsor

Rep. · R–130 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · R–138 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · R–96 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–51 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–116 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–148 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–70 · Co-sponsor

Sen. · D–21 · Co-sponsor

Sen. · D–6 · Co-sponsor
Committees
HB 47 went before 2 committees: Criminal Jurisprudence and Criminal Justice.
History
HB 47 has taken 49 actions since Mar 14, 2025, the latest on Jun 20, 2025.
| Chamber | Action | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jun 20, 2025 | — | Signed by the Governor | ||
Jun 20, 2025 | — | Effective on 9/1/25 | ||
May 26, 2025 | — | Sent to the Governor | ||
May 25, 2025 | House | Signed in the House | ||
May 25, 2025 | Senate | Signed in the Senate |
Votes
HB 47 went to 4 roll calls across both chambers, the latest on May 23, 2025 at 31–0.
| Chamber | Question | Yea | Nay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 23, 2025 | Senate | Three day rule suspended | 31 | 0 | ||
May 23, 2025 | Senate | Read 3rd time | 31 | 0 | ||
May 1, 2025 | House | Read 3rd time RV#1119 | 140 | 0 | ||
Apr 30, 2025 | House | Read 2nd time RV#1075 | 139 | 0 |
Source: capitol.texas.gov · legiscan.com