H.B. No. 2570 seeks to enhance firearm safety by establishing extreme risk protective orders and modifying existing protective orders related to firearm possession. The bill allows courts to prohibit individuals under protective orders from possessing firearms, with exceptions for peace officers and armed forces members acting in their official capacity. It mandates that protective orders include explicit warnings about the consequences of violations, such as fines and imprisonment. The bill introduces a new subchapter for extreme risk protective orders, detailing the application process, confidentiality of information, and criteria for issuance, allowing family members or peace officers to file applications based on evidence of dangerous behavior. Courts are required to hold hearings within 14 days of application filing and consider factors like the respondent's history of violence before issuing orders that restrict firearm access.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to clarify that individuals under protective orders, including extreme risk protective orders, are ineligible to purchase handguns. It establishes procedures for handling firearms relinquished under these orders and outlines conditions for suspending firearm licenses. The bill also introduces penalties for false statements regarding extreme risk protective orders and makes it an offense for individuals subject to such orders to purchase or possess firearms. The Department of Public Safety is tasked with adopting necessary rules by October 1, 2025, and the changes will apply to orders issued on or after September 1, 2025, ensuring that any offenses committed before this date will be governed by prior laws.

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