H.B. No. 2570 seeks to enhance public safety by establishing extreme risk protective orders and amending existing laws related to firearm possession. The bill prohibits individuals subject to a protective order from possessing firearms, with exceptions for peace officers and armed forces members acting in their official capacity. It introduces a process for issuing temporary ex parte orders without notice to the respondent if there is reasonable cause to believe they pose an immediate danger due to access to firearms. The legislation emphasizes the need for detailed allegations of dangerous behavior and mandates a hearing within 14 days of filing for a protective order. Additionally, it requires protective orders to include warnings about the consequences of violations, including fines and jail time.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Public Safety and law enforcement agencies regarding the issuance and enforcement of protective orders. It mandates timely notification to the Department of Public Safety about protective orders and the suspension of handgun licenses, as well as the sharing of information with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Furthermore, it clarifies that individuals under protective orders cannot purchase or possess firearms and establishes penalties for making false statements in requests for extreme risk protective orders. The Department of Public Safety is tasked with adopting rules to implement these changes by October 1, 2025, with the amendments applying to orders issued and offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 85.022, Family Code 85.026, Government Code 411.172, Government Code 411.187, Penal Code 46.04 (Penal Code 46, Government Code 411, Family Code 85)