HB 421
judges must remind lawyers child testimony procedures exist
Filed
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Nov 9, 2026 · How we grade
Caption
relating to information regarding available procedures for the testimony of a child younger than 13 years of age in certain criminal hearings or proceedings.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
A required heads-up from the bench, starting September 1, 2027.
The bill requires a judge, before a hearing in certain criminal cases where a child under 13 may testify, to tell the prosecutor and defense attorney about the special procedures already available for taking a child's testimony. It touches judges and attorneys in cases involving the offenses already listed in the existing child-testimony article. On the ground, lawyers get a required heads-up from the bench about those procedures starting with hearings that begin on or after September 1, 2027.
Receipt
The receipt
90R-HB421 · 2026-11-09
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to information regarding available procedures for the testimony of a child younger than 13 years of age in certain criminal hearings or proceedings.
WHAT IT DOES
A required heads-up from the bench, starting September 1, 2027.
The bill requires a judge, before a hearing in certain criminal cases where a child under 13 may testify, to tell the prosecutor and defense attorney about the special procedures already available for taking a child's testimony. It touches judges and attorneys in cases involving the offenses already listed in the existing child-testimony article. On the ground, lawyers get a required heads-up from the bench about those procedures starting with hearings that begin on or after September 1, 2027.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
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 · Oct 31, 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.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$192,192.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$192,192.00
- Cash
- $65,000.00
- Paid by others
- $127,192.00
- Total
- $192,192.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Sep 17, 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: 101010834, 101033425, 101040992, 101069649.
Texas Sands PAC$37,000.00
Texas Sands PAC
$37,000.00
- Cash
- $37,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $37,000.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 9, 2024 to Oct 12, 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: 101012342, 101040992, 101072660.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$192,192.00
- Cash
- $65,000.00
- Paid by others
- $127,192.00
- Total
- $192,192.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Sep 17, 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: 101010834, 101033425, 101040992, 101069649.
Texas Sands PAC
$37,000.00
- Cash
- $37,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $37,000.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 9, 2024 to Oct 12, 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: 101012342, 101040992, 101072660.
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 a super-expensive superintelligence, Nov 9, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Nov 9, 2026
11/09/2026 H Filed
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Nov 10, 2026 at 2:33 AM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Subjects
Crimes--Against Persons--Sexual
Criminal Procedure--General
Minors--Crimes Against
Text
The text as introduced · 212 words
90R1863 MEW-D By: Curry H.B. No. 421 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to information regarding available procedures for the testimony of a child younger than 13 years of age in certain criminal hearings or proceedings. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article 38.071, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Section 1A to read as follows: Sec. 1A. Before the commencement of a hearing or proceeding in a case in which a child younger than 13 years of age may be a witness to testify about an offense listed in Section 1, the judge shall inform the attorney representing the state and the attorney representing the defendant of the procedures available under this article for the taking of the testimony of a child. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a criminal hearing or proceeding that commences on or after the effective date of this Act. A criminal hearing or proceeding that commences before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the hearing or proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.