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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB1021

Regular Session

Relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision of a person convicted of stalking and to the offense of improper contact with the person's victim.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB1021: Government Affairs Overview

SB1021 creates a "death penalty" risk for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) business licenses while simultaneously removing judicial discretion for probation in Stalking cases. Effective September 1, 2025, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) gains statutory authority to suspend, revoke, or deny an EMS Provider license if an administrator, employee, or representative is convicted of Stalking (Penal Code 42. 072).

Sen. Joan Huffman·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Business Impact

Who SB1021 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: moderate

Notable regulatory updates (effective 2025-09-01). Consider how these changes may affect your operations.

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Healthcare

Affected business types:

  • Hospitals
  • Healthcare systems
  • Medical practices
  • Health insurance providers
View all healthcare legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Employment Agreements: Update "Termination for Cause" clauses to explicitly include "arrest, indictment, or conviction for Stalking (PC 42.072)" as grounds for immediate dismissal without severance.
  • 2Background Check Filters: Instruct your background check providers to flag Penal Code 42.072 (Stalking) as a "Do Not Hire" offense immediately.
  • 3Leadership Vetting: You must re-screen your "Administrator of Record." Under the new law, a conviction against this specific individual triggers license action against the entire entity.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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SB1021
Moderate
Relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision of a person convicted of stalking and to the offense of improper contact with the perso...
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Criminal CourtsTDCJDSHS
Primary Author: Sen. Joan Huffman
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
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Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: August 31, 2025 (All background check protocols must be updated prior to the effective date to prevent hiring ineligible personnel).
  • Agency Rulemaking: DSHS will likely update 25 TAC 157 (EMS Rules) to incorporate Stalking into the disciplinary matrix. Expect a "regulatory gray zone" in Q4 2025 where the statute is active, but agency administrative procedures are still being finalized.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Audit the Administrator: Immediately run a fresh criminal history check on your EMS Administrator of Record.
  • 2. Update Screening Criteria: Contact your background check vendor to add Penal Code 42.072 to your automatic disqualification list effective immediately.
  • 3. Revise Handbooks: Insert a mandatory self-reporting policy for arrests related to stalking and harassment.
  • 4. Review Insurance: Consult your broker regarding Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) coverage for wrongful termination claims arising from statutory compliance.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Employment Agreements: Update "Termination for Cause" clauses to explicitly include "arrest, indictment, or conviction for Stalking (PC 42.072)" as grounds for immediate dismissal without severance.
  • Subcontractor MSAs: If you utilize third-party EMS staffing or transport vendors, amend Master Services Agreements to require the vendor to certify their personnel have been screened for Stalking offenses. Their non-compliance puts *your* license at risk.

Hiring/Training

  • Background Check Filters: Instruct your background check providers to flag Penal Code 42.072 (Stalking) as a "Do Not Hire" offense immediately.
  • Leadership Vetting: You must re-screen your "Administrator of Record." Under the new law, a conviction against this specific individual triggers license action against the entire entity.
  • Duty to Report: Update employee handbooks to require personnel to report any arrest or indictment for Stalking to compliance officers within 24 hours.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Verification Logs: Create a compliance log documenting that all current staff and administrators have been screened against the updated exclusion list as of September 1, 2025.
  • Correctional Interaction: If your business facilitates communication for inmates (e.g., telecom vendors), you must implement blocks preventing inmates convicted of stalking from contacting victims without written consent on file.

Fees & Costs

  • No New State Fees: The bill does not impose new filing fees.
  • Operational Costs: Anticipate increased recruitment costs. Because probation is no longer an option for Stalking, employees charged with this offense face mandatory incarceration, requiring immediate backfilling of positions.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Definition of "Representative": The statute allows license revocation if a "representative" of the provider is convicted, but does not define the term. Until DSHS rulemaking clarifies, businesses must assume this includes independent contractors, legal counsel, and third-party billing agents acting on the provider's behalf.
  • The "Element" Trap: The law applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. However, if *any element* of a stalking offense (which is often a pattern of conduct) occurs after this date, the new strict penalties apply. Do not rely on the timeline of the initial arrest; look at the dates of the alleged conduct.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Jan 30, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 1, 2025
Passed House
May 27, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsCrimesCrimes--against PersonsCrimes--against Persons--generalMandatory & Community SupervisionStalkingState Health Services, Department of
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Joan HuffmanRepublican · Primary Author

House Sponsors

Rep. Sam HarlessRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Joint Sponsors

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Sen. Joan Huffman

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Related by Topic

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1021

Q

What does Texas SB1021 do?

SB1021 creates a "death penalty" risk for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) business licenses while simultaneously removing judicial discretion for probation in Stalking cases. Effective September 1, 2025, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) gains statutory authority to suspend, revoke, or deny an EMS Provider license if an administrator, employee, or representative is convicted of Stalking (Penal Code 42. 072).

Q

Who authored SB1021?

SB1021 was authored by Texas Senator Joan Huffman during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB1021 signed into law?

SB1021 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB1021?

SB1021 is enforced by Criminal Courts, Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Q

How significant are the changes in SB1021?

The regulatory priority for SB1021 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB1021?

The cost impact of SB1021 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB1021 address?

SB1021 addresses topics including crimes, crimes--against persons, crimes--against persons--general, mandatory & community supervision and stalking.

Q

What are the key dates for SB1021?

Key dates for SB1021: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Q

What are the penalties under SB1021?

SB1021 establishes the following penalties: administrative penalty of Mandatory Certificate Revocation for EMS certificate holder convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for Stalking (Penal Code 42.072); administrative penalty of License Suspension, Revocation, or Denial for EMS Provider license holder whose administrator of record, employee, or representative is convicted of Stalking; criminal penalty of Ineligibility for Judge-Ordered Community Supervision (Probation) for Conviction of Stalking (Penal Code 42.072). Consult with legal counsel for specific applicability to your situation.

Q

Which Texas businesses are affected by SB1021?

SB1021 primarily affects healthcare providers and medical facilities. These businesses should review the legislation with their legal and compliance teams to understand potential impacts.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026