Senate Bill No. 1610 seeks to strengthen the legal framework for managing sexually violent predators in Texas, particularly regarding their prosecution and the operations of civil commitment facilities. The bill introduces a mandatory life imprisonment provision for defendants who are civilly committed as sexually violent predators at the time of their offense, modifies harassment offense classifications to increase penalties for those targeting employees of the Texas Civil Commitment Office, and establishes new presumptions about the victim's status during certain offenses. Additionally, it criminalizes the possession of tobacco products within civil commitment facilities and outlines stricter penalties for actions against public servants.

The legislation also amends the Health and Safety Code to impose new responsibilities on civilly committed sex offenders, requiring them to cover costs for damages to state property and medical expenses, regardless of their financial status. It enhances immunity for individuals involved in the civil commitment process, ensuring protection from liability for those acting in good faith. The bill mandates that the Attorney General represent individuals granted immunity and specifies that court costs and attorney's fees will be awarded in related actions. These changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and certain sections of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code will be repealed, while previous laws will remain applicable to actions or offenses occurring before this date.

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