bill widening access to the protective order registry

The text as introduced · 617 words

89R6404 BCH-F

By: Jones of Harris
H.B. No. 1571

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to access to and notification of protective order registry

information.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as Anthony's Law.

SECTION 2. Section 72.155, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 72.155. RESTRICTED ACCESS TO PROTECTIVE ORDER

REGISTRY. (a) The registry must include a copy of each

application for a protective order filed in this state and a copy of

each protective order issued in this state, including an expired

order, or a vacated order other than an order that was vacated as

the result of an appeal or bill of review from a district or county

court. Only an authorized user, the attorney general, a district

attorney, a criminal district attorney, a county attorney, a

municipal attorney, an attorney representing a party in a civil

action, a victim of family violence or of an offense for which a

protective order may be granted under Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal

Procedure, who is representing himself or herself in a civil

action, a magistrate, or a peace officer may access that

information under the registry.

(b) The office shall ensure that an authorized user, the

attorney general, a district attorney, a criminal district

attorney, a county attorney, a municipal attorney, an attorney

representing a party in a civil action, a victim of family violence

or of an offense for which a protective order may be granted under

Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal Procedure, who is representing himself

or herself in a civil action, a magistrate, or a peace officer is

able to search for and receive a copy of a filed application for a

protective order or a copy of an issued protective order through the

registry's Internet website.

SECTION 3. Subchapter F, Chapter 72, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 72.1555 to read as follows:

Sec. 72.1555. ACCESS TO AND NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN

REGISTRY INFORMATION. (a) The protective order registry must be

configured to provide access to information in the registry to:

(1) a court with jurisdiction over a case in which a

person who is subject to a protective order appears related to a

civil violation of the protective order or for any criminal

offense;

(2) the attorney general or a district attorney,

criminal district attorney, county attorney, or municipal attorney

who is prosecuting a person who is subject to the protective order;

(3) an attorney representing a party in a civil action

or a victim of family violence or of an offense for which a

protective order may be granted under Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal

Procedure, who is representing himself or herself in a civil

action; or

(4) a peace officer who is investigating a person who

is subject to the protective order.

(b) If a person subject to a protective order issued by a

court appears in a court of another county for a civil violation of

the protective order or any criminal offense, the registry must be

configured to provide notice to the court that issued the

protective order of:

(1) the time, place, and nature of the person's

violation or offense;

(2) the name and location of the court with

jurisdiction over the violation or offense;

(3) the name and contact information of the attorney

general or the district attorney, criminal district attorney,

county attorney, or municipal attorney who is prosecuting the

violation or offense; and

(4) the name and contact information of any peace

officer whose information is included in the registry as the

investigator for the violation or offense.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.