bill limiting livestreams of trials with sexual evidence

The text as introduced · 257 words

89R2991 MCF-D

By: Manuel
H.B. No. 1752

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a limitation on public access by livestream or

videoconference to certain criminal proceedings involving

evidence depicting an act of a sexual nature.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Code of Criminal Procedure, is

amended by adding Article 1.245 to read as follows:

Art. 1.245. LIMITATION ON PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE LIVESTREAM IN

CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS. A court may not allow public access by

livestream or videoconference to any portion of a proceeding or

trial in which evidence depicting an act of a sexual nature is

presented unless:

(1) the court before the applicable portion of the

proceeding or trial provides notice to the victim or guardian of the

victim, the attorney representing the state, and the defendant that

the evidence will be publicly accessible by livestream or

videoconference; and

(2) the victim or guardian of the victim, the attorney

representing the state, and the defendant each consent to allowing

public access by livestream or videoconference to that portion of

the proceeding or trial.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a criminal proceeding that commences on or after the effective

date of this Act. A criminal proceeding that commenced before the

effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the

date the proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in

effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.