The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to enhance public access to criminal proceedings, specifically addressing the requirements for proceedings conducted before a magistrate under Article 15.17. It establishes that all proceedings, including those under Article 15.17, must be public. The bill mandates that courts publish essential information regarding these proceedings on their websites, including how the public can inquire about specific cases, the time and location of the proceedings, and access options such as livestream or videoconference links.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that by January 1, 2026, courts lacking the physical capability for in-person public access must provide alternative access through livestream or videoconference. It allows for reasonable limitations on in-person attendance for safety or crowd control and grants individuals, including media members and the attorney general, the right to seek legal remedies to enforce public access to these proceedings. The changes will apply to criminal proceedings commencing on or after January 1, 2026, with the act taking effect on September 1, 2025.