The bill, S.B. No. 1203, aims to enhance public access to criminal proceedings in Texas by amending the Code of Criminal Procedure. It specifies that all proceedings, including those under Article 15.17, must be public. Additionally, it introduces Article 15.1705, which mandates that courts provide essential information about proceedings conducted under Article 15.17 on their websites or at the location of the proceedings. This information includes how the public can inquire about specific arrested individuals, the time and location of the proceedings, and access details for livestreams or videoconferences.

Furthermore, the bill requires that by January 1, 2026, courts lacking the capability for in-person public access must offer livestream or videoconference options, ensuring that the public can clearly see and hear the proceedings. It also allows individuals, including media members and the attorney general, to seek legal remedies to enforce public access rights. The changes will apply only to criminal proceedings that commence on or after January 1, 2026, with prior proceedings governed by existing law. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.