S.B. No. 1610 aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding sexually violent predators in Texas by amending various sections of the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill introduces harsher penalties for felony offenses committed by individuals civilly committed as sexually violent predators, including life imprisonment or a term of 25 to 99 years for felonies committed during civil commitment. It also increases penalties for offenses against employees of the Texas Civil Commitment Office, categorizing certain actions as third-degree felonies. The bill refines definitions and clarifies the scope of offenses, presuming knowledge of a victim's status as a public servant if identifiable by uniform or badge, and broadening the definition of harassment.

Additionally, the bill outlines new procedures for the treatment and legal processes involving civilly committed individuals, including the appointment of counsel for indigent defendants and the preservation of communication records between magistrates and arrested individuals. It establishes conditions for bond related to these defendants and specifies that sentences for multiple convictions must run consecutively. The bill also introduces new requirements for the Texas Civil Commitment Office and emphasizes the confidentiality of records related to assessments of these individuals. The changes will apply to offenses committed or arrests made on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

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 38, Government Code 508, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 22, Penal Code 12, Health and Safety Code 841)
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 36, Penal Code 38, Government Code 508, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 22, Penal Code 12, Government Code 411, Health and Safety Code 841)
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 (Penal Code 36, Penal Code 38, Government Code 41, Government Code 508, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 22, Government Code 2155, Penal Code 12, Government Code 411, Health and Safety Code 841)
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 (Penal Code 36, Penal Code 38, Government Code 41, Government Code 508, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 22, Government Code 2155, Penal Code 12, Government Code 411, Health and Safety Code 841)
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 (Penal Code 36, Penal Code 38, Government Code 41, Government Code 508, Penal Code 3, Penal Code 22, Government Code 2155, Penal Code 12, Government Code 411, Health and Safety Code 841)