The bill, S.B. No. 1203, aims to enhance public access to criminal proceedings in Texas by amending Article 1.24 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to explicitly state that all proceedings, including those under Article 15.17, must be public. Additionally, it introduces a new Article 15.1705, which outlines specific requirements for proceedings conducted before a magistrate. This includes mandates for courts to publish information about the proceedings on their websites, such as how the public can inquire about specific arrested individuals, the time and location of the proceedings, and access methods, including livestream or videoconference links.

Furthermore, 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, ensuring that the public can clearly see and hear the proceedings. It also allows individuals, including media members and the attorney general, to file petitions for mandamus or seek equitable relief to enforce public access rights. The changes will apply only to criminal proceedings that commence on or after January 1, 2026, with the law in effect prior to this date continuing to govern earlier proceedings. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.