The bill amends the Family Code to enhance the confidentiality protections for individuals applying for or protected by a protective order. Specifically, it mandates that courts must protect the mailing address and county of residence of applicants upon request, rather than having the option to do so. The bill also requires the court to inform individuals present at hearings about their right to request the exclusion of their personal information from protective orders. Additionally, it establishes that the court must keep confidential any changed address or telephone number provided by a person protected by an order.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the necessary steps for applicants seeking confidentiality, including disclosing their mailing address and county of residence to the court and designating a person to receive court-related notices on their behalf. The changes apply to applications for protective orders and notifications of address changes filed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 82.011, Family Code 85.007, Family Code 87.004 (Family Code 85, Family Code 82, Family Code 87)