S.B. No. 1638 amends various articles in the Code of Criminal Procedure, Government Code, Health and Safety Code, and Occupations Code to enhance the rights and support for victims of sexual assault and related offenses. The bill redefines "victim" to include individuals under 17 years of age and those involved in family violence cases, while expanding their rights to access information about compensation for forensic medical examinations and ongoing medical care within 30 days post-examination. It also ensures victims are informed of their rights within the criminal justice system, including participation in parole processes and the opportunity to provide input during sentencing. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the reimbursement of healthcare providers conducting forensic examinations and establishes protections against harm or intimidation for victims during legal proceedings.

Further amendments focus on improving the response to sexual assault cases by establishing minimum standards for the certification and training of sexual assault nurse examiners, extending their validity from two to three years. Health care facilities with emergency departments are required to provide at least one hour of basic sexual assault response training to relevant staff, while medical professionals in emergency settings must complete two hours of training on trauma-informed care and forensic evidence collection. The bill also sets new documentation requirements for tenants reporting specific sexual offenses, mandating that they provide documentation from licensed healthcare and mental health providers, as well as any protective orders issued. The changes will apply only to offenses reported or for which medical care is sought after the effective date of the Act, September 1, 2025, and the Texas Medical Board and Texas Physician Assistant Board must adopt necessary rules by June 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 57.002, Government Code 420.011, Health and Safety Code 323.0046, Health and Safety Code 323.005, Health and Safety Code 323.0051, Health and Safety Code 323.0052, Health and Safety Code 323.053, Local Government Code 351.257, Subchapter J, Chapter , Local Government Code 772.0064, Occupations Code 156.057, Occupations Code 2402.107, Property Code 92.0161 (Local Government Code 351, Family Code 57, Occupations Code 156, Health and Safety Code 323, Government Code 420, Property Code 92, Subchapter J, Chapter , Local Government Code 772, Occupations Code 2402)