S.B. No. 1610 seeks to strengthen the legal framework for the civil commitment and prosecution of sexually violent predators in Texas. Key amendments include changes to Section 12.42 of the Penal Code, which now mandates life imprisonment or a term of 25 to 99 years for individuals previously civilly committed as sexually violent predators if they are convicted of a felony. The bill also increases penalties for harassment offenses committed against employees of the Texas Civil Commitment Office while individuals are confined in civil commitment facilities. New provisions establish presumptions regarding the knowledge of the status of victims who are employees of the Texas Civil Commitment Office, enhancing protections for these individuals.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Health and Safety Code, focusing on the rights and treatment of civilly committed individuals. It requires magistrates to inform arrested individuals of their rights, mandates the appointment of counsel for indigent individuals, and outlines conditions for bond related to civilly committed offenders. The legislation also clarifies the responsibilities regarding court costs and attorney's fees in civil commitment proceedings, ensuring that individuals found immune in actions against them can recover these costs. Overall, S.B. No. 1610 aims to improve public safety and streamline the legal processes surrounding the civil commitment of sexually violent predators.

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