SB 2445
legal aid groups get criminal records to help clear them
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to access to criminal history record information by certain legal services providers.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Records come from DPS and can go on to a Texas court.
The bill lets legal aid groups that get part of their money from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation pull criminal history records from the state Department of Public Safety. The access is tied to helping people seek expunction and nondisclosure, which clear or seal a criminal record, and the groups may pass those records on to a Texas court. Starting September 1, 2025, these providers gain a legal right to the records instead of having to get them another way.
Labels
Labels: QUICK READ: 134 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 134 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the Senate Criminal Justice committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2445 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to access to criminal history record information by certain legal services providers.
WHAT IT DOES
Records come from DPS and can go on to a Texas court.
The bill lets legal aid groups that get part of their money from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation pull criminal history records from the state Department of Public Safety. The access is tied to helping people seek expunction and nondisclosure, which clear or seal a criminal record, and the groups may pass those records on to a Texas court. Starting September 1, 2025, these providers gain a legal right to the records instead of having to get them another way.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Criminal Justice
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
“Legal service providers funded in part by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation are entitled to obtain from the department criminal history record information”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill opens state criminal history records to outside legal aid providers, adding a new channel for sharing records beyond government agencies.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Killam Development Ltd.$72,700.00
Killam Development Ltd.
$72,700.00
- Cash
- $10,000.00
- Paid by others
- $62,700.00
- Total
- $72,700.00
Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 16, 2025 to Aug 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101011018, 101057658.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$60,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$60,000.00
- Cash
- $60,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $60,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Nov 11, 2024 to Aug 31, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100959783, 100987492, 101011018, 101035338, 101057658.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Killam Development Ltd.
$72,700.00
- Cash
- $10,000.00
- Paid by others
- $62,700.00
- Total
- $72,700.00
Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 16, 2025 to Aug 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101011018, 101057658.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$60,000.00
- Cash
- $60,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $60,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Nov 11, 2024 to Aug 31, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100959783, 100987492, 101011018, 101035338, 101057658.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Mar 13, 2025
03/25/2025 S Referred to Criminal Justice
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Criminal Justice · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Criminal Procedure--General
Law Enforcement
CRIMINAL RECORDS
ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION, TEXAS
Text
The text as introduced · 134 words
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2445 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to access to criminal history record information by certain legal services providers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by adding Sec. 411.XXX to read as follows: Sec. 411.XXX. ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION: Texas Access to Justice. (a) Legal service providers funded in part by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation are entitled to obtain from the department criminal history record information maintained by the department that relates to seeking expunction and nondisclosure relief from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. (b) Criminal history record information access under this section can be further disseminated to a Texas court. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.