Senate Bill No. 989 introduces new provisions regarding the criminal history record information requirements for applicants seeking appointment or employment as masters, magistrates, referees, associate judges, or other court officials in Texas state courts. The bill mandates that these applicants must submit a complete and legible set of fingerprints to the court or the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for the purpose of obtaining criminal history records from both the DPS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Furthermore, courts are prohibited from appointing or employing applicants unless a thorough criminal history check is conducted, utilizing information provided by the applicant and available from relevant criminal justice agencies.

Additionally, the bill establishes that district courts and other courts with criminal jurisdiction are entitled to access criminal history record information related to applicants for these positions. This information can only be used to evaluate the applicants and cannot be disclosed without the subject's consent. After the conclusion of any probationary period for the appointed or employed individual, the court is required to destroy all obtained criminal history records. The provisions outlined in this bill will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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