H.B. No. 4918 aims to strengthen the rights of victims, their guardians, or close relatives of deceased victims in cases of family violence, sexual offenses, assaultive offenses, stalking, or violations of protective orders. The bill introduces new definitions and expands the scope of "family violence" by specifying various sections of the Penal Code. It updates the definition of "victim" to include individuals affected by family violence and stalking, thereby broadening the protections available. Additionally, the bill ensures that victims and their families are informed of their rights within the criminal justice system, including notifications about court proceedings, evidence status, and participation in the parole process.

The bill also establishes new rights for victims, such as the ability to designate a person or entity to receive notifications related to their case, provided that the designated individual is not the person charged with the offense. It clarifies that if there are conflicting rights under another article (Article 56A.052), those rights will take precedence. Furthermore, the bill amends Article 56A.501 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to streamline the definition section by removing the term "definitions." The provisions of this Act will apply only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that prior offenses remain governed by existing laws.