The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code to create new procedures for issuing automatic orders of nondisclosure for certain defendants placed on deferred adjudication community supervision. It specifically allows judges to issue these orders for defendants charged with specific misdemeanors under Sections 49.04 or 49.06 of the Penal Code, eliminating previous restrictions that limited eligibility. A new section, 411.0718, is introduced to outline the automatic nondisclosure process, requiring monthly reviews of records by the department and notifications to relevant courts regarding eligible individuals.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the eligibility criteria for automatic orders of nondisclosure, ensuring that individuals who meet specific conditions, such as receiving a dismissal and discharge for their offense, can obtain these orders without needing to petition the court. It also removes the requirement for individuals to pay fees associated with the issuance of the order, enhancing accessibility. The bill repeals Section 411.072 of the Government Code, which likely contained outdated provisions, and is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, marking a significant shift towards facilitating the protection of criminal history records for eligible individuals.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.0716, Government Code 411.0745, Government Code 411.072 (Government Code 411)