Texas 89th Legislature
Criminal Records
4 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 8 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
4 bills require immediate attention
Relating to hiring and employment requirements for persons in direct contact with children at certain facilities.
Relating to the licensing of mental hospitals and mental health facilities and the definition of facility for the purposes of the employee misconduct registry.
Relating to access to criminal history record information that relates to providers and provider applicants under Medicaid and other public benefits programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission.
Relating to the access to and use of certain criminal history record information, to the procedure for obtaining that information, and to the correct terminology for certain licenses the issuance of which requires a criminal history background check.
Criminal Records Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (11)
Relating to the duty of a magistrate to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings.
Relating to the duty of a magistrate to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings.
Relating to hiring and employment requirements for persons in direct contact with children at certain facilities.
Relating to hiring and employment requirements for persons in direct contact with children at certain facilities.
Relating to the licensing of mental hospitals and mental health facilities and the definition of facility for the purposes of the employee misconduct registry.
Relating to the licensing of mental hospitals and mental health facilities and the definition of facility for the purposes of the employee misconduct registry.
Relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Relating to access to criminal history record information that relates to providers and provider applicants under Medicaid and other public benefits programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission.
Relating to access to criminal history record information that relates to providers and provider applicants under Medicaid and other public benefits programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission.
Relating to the confinement or release of defendants before trial or sentencing, including regulating charitable bail organizations, and the conditions of and procedures for setting bail and reviewing bail decisions.
Relating to the confinement or release of defendants before trial or sentencing, including regulating charitable bail organizations, and the conditions of and procedures for setting bail and reviewing bail decisions.
Relating to the eligibility of certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information.
Relating to the eligibility of certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information.
Relating to the revocation of an occupational license from certain license holders and the issuance of an occupational license to certain applicants with criminal convictions.
Relating to the revocation of an occupational license from certain license holders and the issuance of an occupational license to certain applicants with criminal convictions.
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.
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.
Relating to the procedures for the expunction of arrest records and files; authorizing a fee.
Relating to the procedures for the expunction of arrest records and files; authorizing a fee.
Relating to the access to and use of certain criminal history record information, to the procedure for obtaining that information, and to the correct terminology for certain licenses the issuance of which requires a criminal history background check.
Relating to the access to and use of certain criminal history record information, to the procedure for obtaining that information, and to the correct terminology for certain licenses the issuance of which requires a criminal history background check.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on criminal records passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 11 laws related to criminal records. These bills were authored by 10 different legislators and address various aspects of criminal records policy in Texas.
- Did criminal records bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Criminal Records legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 6 Senate bills and 5 House bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most criminal records bills?
- The leading authors of criminal records legislation include Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D) with 2 bills, Sen. Charles Perry (R) with 1 bills, Rep. Helen Kerwin (R) with 1 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on criminal records issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for criminal records legislation?
- Among the 11 criminal records bills enacted, 4 have critical compliance urgency and 4 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to criminal records in Texas law?
- Criminal Records legislation frequently overlaps with Criminal Procedure, Courts, Health & Human Services Commission. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for criminal records legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 8 of the 11 criminal records bills (73%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on criminal records policy.
- When do Texas criminal records laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some criminal records bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
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