S.B. No. 1610 aims to strengthen the legal framework for the civil commitment and prosecution of sexually violent predators in Texas. The bill amends various sections of the Penal Code to impose harsher penalties for felony offenses committed by individuals who are civilly committed, including life imprisonment or a term of 25 to 99 years for felonies committed during civil commitment. It also increases penalties for harassment and assault against employees of the Texas Civil Commitment Office, designating certain actions as third-degree felonies. Additionally, the bill modifies legal definitions to hold civilly committed individuals accountable for their actions, including a presumption of knowledge when assaulting identifiable public servants and expanding the definition of "public servant" to include contractors and employees in civil commitment facilities.

The bill further introduces amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Health and Safety Code, addressing the treatment of civilly committed individuals. Key provisions include prohibiting these individuals from certain occupations, establishing that their duty to register for reportable convictions ends upon death or after a specified period post-release, and outlining the responsibilities of the Texas Civil Commitment Office. It also clarifies the recovery of court costs and attorney's fees in civil commitment proceedings, specifying conditions under which costs are awarded. The amendments will apply only to offenses committed or arrests made after the effective date of the Act, set for September 1, 2025, and certain sections of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code will be repealed.

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