H.B. No. 1610 is a legislative act aimed at revising the Code of Criminal Procedure in Texas, focusing on family violence, public health-related occupations, and death inquests. The bill introduces new chapters, including Chapter 5A, which delineates the responsibilities of peace officers in addressing family violence, emphasizing victim protection, enforcement of protective orders, and the provision of resources to victims. It also prohibits the dismissal or delay of prosecutions based on civil proceedings and restricts mediation referrals in family violence cases. Additionally, the bill establishes regulations for public health-related occupations and outlines the procedures for death inquests, including the roles of justices of the peace and medical examiners.

The legislation mandates informed consent for postmortem examinations and autopsies, requiring a standardized consent form and specifying authorized individuals to provide consent. It also addresses the handling of unidentified bodies, the responsibilities of forensic anthropologists, and the qualifications for medical examiners. The bill includes provisions for timely investigations, the authority of medical examiners during inquests, and the documentation required for death investigations. Notably, it amends various sections of existing laws to update references and streamline procedures, while repealing outdated chapters of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill is set to take effect on April 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 81.007, Family Code 264.501, Family Code 264.514, Government Code 27.0545, Government Code 501.055, Government Code 552.108, Health and Safety Code 81.045, Health and Safety Code 88.006, Health and Safety Code 193.0025, Health and Safety Code 193.005, Health and Safety Code 672.001, Health and Safety Code 672.013, Health and Safety Code 711.004, Health and Safety Code 1001.241, Human Resources Code 42.0448, Human Resources Code 42.0449, Occupations Code 651.456, Penal Code 38.19, Penal Code 39.05, Transportation Code 547.751, Transportation Code 547.752 (Family Code 264, Occupations Code 651, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 672, Health and Safety Code 81, Transportation Code 547, Government Code 27, Family Code 81, Health and Safety Code 711, Government Code 501, Government Code 552, Penal Code 39, Health and Safety Code 88, Health and Safety Code 1001, Health and Safety Code 193, Penal Code 38)
House Committee Report: Family Code 81.007, Family Code 264.501, Family Code 264.514, Government Code 27.0545, Government Code 501.055, Government Code 552.108, Health and Safety Code 81.045, Health and Safety Code 88.006, Health and Safety Code 193.0025, Health and Safety Code 193.005, Health and Safety Code 672.001, Health and Safety Code 672.013, Health and Safety Code 711.004, Health and Safety Code 1001.241, Human Resources Code 42.0448, Human Resources Code 42.0449, Occupations Code 651.456, Penal Code 38.19, Penal Code 39.05, Transportation Code 547.751, Transportation Code 547.752 (Family Code 264, Occupations Code 651, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 672, Health and Safety Code 81, Transportation Code 547, Government Code 27, Family Code 81, Health and Safety Code 711, Government Code 501, Government Code 552, Penal Code 39, Health and Safety Code 88, Health and Safety Code 1001, Health and Safety Code 193, Penal Code 38)
Engrossed: Family Code 81.007, Family Code 264.501, Family Code 264.514, Government Code 27.0545, Government Code 501.055, Government Code 552.108, Health and Safety Code 81.045, Health and Safety Code 88.006, Health and Safety Code 193.0025, Health and Safety Code 193.005, Health and Safety Code 672.001, Health and Safety Code 672.013, Health and Safety Code 711.004, Health and Safety Code 1001.241, Human Resources Code 42.0448, Human Resources Code 42.0449, Occupations Code 651.456, Penal Code 38.19, Penal Code 39.05, Transportation Code 547.751, Transportation Code 547.752 (Family Code 264, Occupations Code 651, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 672, Health and Safety Code 81, Transportation Code 547, Government Code 27, Family Code 81, Health and Safety Code 711, Government Code 501, Government Code 552, Penal Code 39, Health and Safety Code 88, Health and Safety Code 1001, Health and Safety Code 193, Penal Code 38)
Enrolled: Family Code 81.007, Family Code 264.501, Family Code 264.514, Government Code 27.0545, Government Code 501.055, Government Code 552.108, Health and Safety Code 81.045, Health and Safety Code 88.006, Health and Safety Code 193.0025, Health and Safety Code 193.005, Health and Safety Code 672.001, Health and Safety Code 672.013, Health and Safety Code 711.004, Health and Safety Code 1001.241, Human Resources Code 42.0448, Human Resources Code 42.0449, Occupations Code 651.456, Penal Code 38.19, Penal Code 39.05, Transportation Code 547.751, Transportation Code 547.752 (Family Code 264, Occupations Code 651, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 672, Health and Safety Code 81, Transportation Code 547, Government Code 27, Family Code 81, Health and Safety Code 711, Government Code 501, Government Code 552, Penal Code 39, Health and Safety Code 88, Health and Safety Code 1001, Health and Safety Code 193, Penal Code 38)