S.B. No. 1610 aims to strengthen the legal framework for managing sexually violent predators in Texas, particularly regarding their civil commitment and related offenses. The bill amends the Penal Code to mandate life imprisonment for defendants civilly committed as sexually violent predators at the time of their offense and increases penalties for harassment committed in civil commitment facilities or against employees of the Texas Civil Commitment Office. It also introduces new presumptions about the knowledge of victims' statuses in assaults against these employees and allows for prosecution in any county where an element of the offense occurs. Additionally, the definition of "public servant" is expanded to include contractors in civil commitment facilities, and specific penalties for offenses against them are outlined.

The bill further amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Health and Safety Code to enhance regulations for civilly committed individuals. It prohibits certain employment opportunities for those with reportable convictions or civil commitments, establishes conditions for bond related to these individuals, and mandates that sentences for multiple convictions run consecutively. New provisions regarding the recovery of court costs and attorney's fees in civil commitment proceedings are also introduced. The bill clarifies that its amendments will apply only to offenses committed or arrests made after its effective date of September 1, 2025, and repeals certain sections of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 3.03, Penal Code 3.04, Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 22.01, Penal Code 22.012, Penal Code 22.02, Penal Code 22.07, Penal Code 22.11, Penal Code 38.11, Penal Code 38.115, Government Code 508.145, Government Code 508.149, Health and Safety Code 841.003, Health and Safety Code 841.022, Health and Safety Code 841.083, Health and Safety Code 841.0835, Health and Safety Code 841.084, Health and Safety Code 841.147 (Penal Code 22, Penal Code 38, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Health and Safety Code 841, Government Code 508)
Senate Committee Report: Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 22.01, Penal Code 22.012, Penal Code 22.02, Penal Code 22.11, Penal Code 36.06, Penal Code 38.11, Government Code 411.1389, Health and Safety Code 841.003, Health and Safety Code 841.021, Health and Safety Code 841.022, Health and Safety Code 841.083, Health and Safety Code 841.0835, Health and Safety Code 841.084, Health and Safety Code 841.147 (Penal Code 22, Penal Code 38, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Health and Safety Code 841, Government Code 411, Government Code 508, Penal Code 36)
Engrossed: Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 22.01, Penal Code 22.012, Penal Code 22.02, Penal Code 22.11, Penal Code 36.06, Penal Code 38.11, Government Code 41.302, Government Code 411.1389, Government Code 2155.144, Health and Safety Code 841.003, Health and Safety Code 841.021, Health and Safety Code 841.022, Health and Safety Code 841.083, Health and Safety Code 841.0835, Health and Safety Code 841.084, Health and Safety Code 841.147 (Government Code 41, Penal Code 22, Penal Code 38, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Health and Safety Code 841, Government Code 2155, Government Code 411, Government Code 508, Penal Code 36)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 22.01, Penal Code 22.012, Penal Code 22.02, Penal Code 22.11, Penal Code 36.06, Penal Code 38.11, Government Code 41.302, Government Code 411.1389, Government Code 2155.144, Health and Safety Code 841.003, Health and Safety Code 841.021, Health and Safety Code 841.022, Health and Safety Code 841.083, Health and Safety Code 841.0835, Health and Safety Code 841.084, Health and Safety Code 841.147 (Government Code 41, Penal Code 22, Penal Code 38, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Health and Safety Code 841, Government Code 2155, Government Code 411, Government Code 508, Penal Code 36)
Enrolled: Penal Code 12.42, Penal Code 22.01, Penal Code 22.012, Penal Code 22.02, Penal Code 22.11, Penal Code 36.06, Government Code 41.302, Government Code 411.1389, Government Code 2155.144, Health and Safety Code 841.003, Health and Safety Code 841.021, Health and Safety Code 841.022, Health and Safety Code 841.083, Health and Safety Code 841.0835, Health and Safety Code 841.084, Health and Safety Code 841.147 (Government Code 41, Penal Code 22, Penal Code 38, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 12, Health and Safety Code 841, Government Code 2155, Government Code 411, Government Code 508, Penal Code 36)