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Bill

SB 219

Relating to orders of nondisclosure of criminal history record information for certain criminal defendants.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Royce West

Texas bill expanding criminal record sealing eligibility to allow more defendants to suppress their criminal history from public disclosure.

Referred to Criminal Justice
#criminalrecords(s0008) #courts--general(i0160) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #mandatory&communitysupervision(s2314) #publicsafety #departmentof(v0251)
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Bill Summary · SB 219

Legislative bill overview

SB 219 would expand the circumstances under which criminal defendants in Texas can obtain orders of nondisclosure (sealing records) for their criminal history information. The bill appears to modify existing provisions that currently limit record sealing to specific offense categories, potentially allowing broader access to record suppression for defendants meeting certain criteria.

Why is this important

Criminal record sealing affects employment, housing, licensing, and educational opportunities for individuals. Expanding nondisclosure eligibility could help rehabilitated offenders reintegrate into society, but it also raises questions about public access to criminal history information and victim protections. This directly impacts both individual defendants' futures and public safety considerations.

Potential points of contention

  • Public transparency vs. privacy: Balancing the public's right to know about criminal convictions against individuals' ability to move forward after serving sentences
  • Victim concerns: Whether sealed records adequately protect victims and potential future victims from knowing relevant criminal histories
  • Scope and criteria: What specific offense categories or defendant circumstances qualify for nondisclosure, and whether the expanded criteria are clearly defined or potentially too broad
  • Burden on law enforcement: Implementation costs and administrative requirements for courts and criminal justice agencies to process and manage additional sealing requests

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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