JD Key Consulting Logo
Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB1610

Regular Session

Relating to sexually violent predators, to the Texas Civil Commitment Office, and to the prosecution of the offense of harassment by sexually violent predators and other persons confined in certain facilities; amending certain sex offender registration requirements; increasing criminal penalties.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB1610: Government Affairs Overview

SB1610 fundamentally alters the risk profile for vendors contracting with the Texas Civil Commitment Office (TCCO) by establishing statutory immunity and mandating Attorney General defense for contractors, effective September 1, 2025. However, accessing these legal protections and triggering enhanced criminal penalties for offender assaults is strictly conditional on specific operational protocols regarding employee identification and incident reporting.

Sen. Charles Perry·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Local Law Enforcement Authorities • Office of the Attorney General (OAG) • Texas Civil Commitment Office (TCCO) • Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Business Impact

Who SB1610 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.

🏥

Healthcare

Affected business types:

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

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

Need Government Relations Support?

JD Key Consulting provides government affairs and regulatory strategy services. We help businesses navigate Texas agencies, understand legislative impacts, and advocate for their interests.

Need Help Navigating This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting provides strategic guidance on Texas regulatory compliance and legislative impact for your business.

SB1610
Moderate
Relating to sexually violent predators, to the Texas Civil Commitment Office, and to the prosecution of the offense of harassment by sexually violent ...
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Local Law Enforcement AuthoritiesOAGTCCODPS
Primary Author: Sen. Charles Perry
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
  • Compliance Deadline: August 15, 2025. You must have new badging/uniform protocols fully deployed *before* the effective date to ensure immediate protection.
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Department of Public Safety (DPS) must update criminal history systems "as soon as practicable" after September 1. Expect a "data lag" of 3-6 months where background checks may not immediately reflect new civil commitment flags or life-sentence mandates.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Procurement: Order high-visibility badges or uniforms immediately to ensure delivery and distribution by August 2025.
  • 2. Legal Review: Draft an amendment for your TCCO contract requiring the agency to request Attorney General defense for your staff in all eligible civil suits.
  • 3. Insurance Notification: Alert your liability carrier regarding the new statutory immunity and AG defense provisions; request a review of your premium or coverage structure.
  • 4. Accounting Setup: Create the "Offender Liability" accounts receivable code to track recoverable medical and property expenses starting Sept 1.
  • 5. Staff Memo: Issue a directive to all employees explaining that wearing their badge is no longer just policy—it is a prerequisite for their legal protection and the prosecution of attackers.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Master Services Agreements (MSAs): You must amend your MSA with TCCO. While the AG *shall* defend you, they only do so if TCCO *requests* it. Insert a clause obligating TCCO to submit this request for any lawsuit arising from good-faith conduct.
  • Subcontractor Flow-Down: Update agreements with staffing agencies (nursing, security, janitorial). They must legally bind their personnel to your uniform/badging policy, or they risk waiving the statutory presumption of knowledge that protects them.

Hiring/Training

  • Uniform Policy: Implement a "No Badge, No Entry" policy. The badge or uniform must be "distinctive." A generic lanyard is insufficient; use high-contrast, large-text identification (e.g., "TCCO CONTRACTOR").
  • Incident Response Training: Train staff that in the event of an assault or harassment (including throwing fluids), their written report must explicitly state they were wearing their distinctive identification at the time of the incident. This is the evidentiary key to upgrading charges to a 3rd-degree felony.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Damages Ledger: Establish a specific accounting code for "Offender-Caused Damages." You are now statutorily entitled to recover repair, replacement, and medical costs from the offender. You will need itemized, auditable receipts to submit to TCCO/Courts for collection.
  • Incident Report Forms: Revise internal forms to include a checkbox: *"Was the employee wearing distinctive uniform/badge at time of incident?"*

Fees & Costs

  • Cost Recovery: Positive impact. The law creates a direct mechanism to recoup medical deductibles and property repair costs from offenders.
  • Legal Defense Savings: Potential reduction in legal defense retainers due to AG coverage.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Distinctive Uniform or Badge": The statute fails to define "distinctive." This will be the primary attack point for defense attorneys.
  • *Watch For:* TCCO may issue guidance on standardizing contractor IDs. Until then, err on the side of high visibility.
  • The "Request" Loophole: Section 35 states the Attorney General provides defense *if* TCCO requests it. It does not explicitly mandate TCCO to make the request.
  • *Watch For:* Internal TCCO policy regarding the threshold for requesting AG intervention. Do not leave this to chance; address it in your contract.

Need Compliance Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.

Schedule a Consultation

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.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Feb 25, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 7, 2025
Passed House
May 28, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsCourtsCourts--generalCrimesCrimes--against PersonsCrimes--against Persons--sexualCriminal ProcedureCriminal Procedure--generalCriminal Procedure--sentencing & PunishmentCivil CommitmentDeferred AdjudicationHarassmentMagistratesMandatory & Community SupervisionPeace OfficersSexual HarassmentSexual OffendersVideoconferencingHealth & Human Services CommissionTexas Civil Commitment OfficeAlcoholism & Drug AbuseCriminal Procedure--bail & Pretrial ReleaseElectronic Information SystemsTobacco ProductsAttorney's FeesContractors & SubcontractorsCriminal RecordsSexual AbuseAttorney GeneralCriminal Justice, Texas Department of
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Charles PerryRepublican · Primary Author
Joint Authors

House Sponsors

Rep. David CookRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Joint Sponsors

Bill Text(with markup)

Showing first 50k characters.

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

Explore more bills from this author and on related topics

More from Sen. Charles Perry

View all bills by Sen. Charles Perry

Related by Topic

View more Courts legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1610

Q

What does Texas SB1610 do?

SB1610 fundamentally alters the risk profile for vendors contracting with the Texas Civil Commitment Office (TCCO) by establishing statutory immunity and mandating Attorney General defense for contractors, effective September 1, 2025. However, accessing these legal protections and triggering enhanced criminal penalties for offender assaults is strictly conditional on specific operational protocols regarding employee identification and incident reporting.

Q

Who authored SB1610?

SB1610 was authored by Texas Senator Charles Perry during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB1610 signed into law?

SB1610 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB1610?

SB1610 is enforced by Local Law Enforcement Authorities, Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Texas Civil Commitment Office (TCCO) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Q

How significant are the changes in SB1610?

The regulatory priority for SB1610 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB1610?

The cost impact of SB1610 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB1610 address?

SB1610 addresses topics including courts, courts--general, crimes, crimes--against persons and crimes--against persons--sexual.

Q

What are the key dates for SB1610?

Key dates for SB1610: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Rulemaking: Input civil commitment orders under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, into the computerized criminal history system. (As soon as practicable after 2025-09-01); Collaborate with Comptroller to identify best practices for comparing total costs and documenting savings for delegated procurement authority. (N/A). Consult with legal coun

Q

What are the penalties under SB1610?

SB1610 establishes the following penalties: criminal penalty of Life Imprisonment for Commission of a felony (other than state jail felony) by a person civilly committed as a sexually violent predator.; criminal penalty of 3rd Degree Felony for Assault or harassment (including throwing fluids) against a TCCO officer or contractor.; civil penalty of Full cost of repair/replacement or medical expenses for Intentional, knowing, reckless, or negligent damage to contractor property or injury causing medical expense by a civilly committed sex offender.. Consult with legal counsel for specific applicability to your situation.

Q

Which Texas businesses are affected by SB1610?

SB1610 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