H.B. No. 793 amends the Family Code to enhance the confidentiality protections for personal information of individuals applying for or protected by a protective order. The bill mandates that, upon request, the court shall protect the applicant's mailing address and county of residence by issuing an order that requires the applicant to disclose this information to the court while ensuring it is kept confidential from the respondent. Additionally, the court clerk is required to maintain a confidential record of this information and strike it from public records.

The bill also stipulates that during hearings for protective orders, the court must inform individuals of their right to request the exclusion of their personal information, such as addresses and phone numbers, from the order. Furthermore, it introduces a provision that allows the court to keep confidential any changed address or telephone number of a person protected by an order, ensuring that such information is not disclosed in notifications. The changes apply to applications and notifications filed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 82.011, Family Code 85.007, Family Code 87.004 (Family Code 87, Family Code 85, Family Code 82)
House Committee Report: Family Code 82.011, Family Code 85.007, Family Code 87.004 (Family Code 87, Family Code 85, Family Code 82)
Engrossed: Family Code 82.011, Family Code 85.007, Family Code 87.004 (Family Code 87, Family Code 85, Family Code 82)
Senate Committee Report: Family Code 82.011, Family Code 85.007, Family Code 87.004 (Family Code 87, Family Code 85, Family Code 82)
Enrolled: Family Code 82.011, Family Code 85.007, Family Code 87.004 (Family Code 87, Family Code 85, Family Code 82)