WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 793

Relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for or a person protected by a protective order.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Penny Morales Shaw and 3 co-sponsors

Texas law now keeps personal information of protective order applicants and protected persons confidential to shield abuse victims from public exposure and potential harassment.

Effective on 9/1/25
#courts--general(i0160) #family--familyviolence(i0353) #protectiveorders(s0495) #protectionofpersonalinformation(i0003)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 793

Legislative bill overview

HB 793 establishes confidentiality protections for personal information of individuals who apply for or receive protective orders in Texas. The bill restricts public access to sensitive identifying details of applicants and protected persons, making such information confidential under state law.

Why is this important

Protective orders are typically sought by victims of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment. Keeping applicant information confidential helps protect vulnerable individuals from being located or harassed by respondents and reduces barriers to people seeking legal protection. This addresses a real safety gap where public court records could inadvertently expose victims to further harm.

Potential points of contention

  • Balancing transparency with privacy: Courts traditionally maintain public records, and some argue confidentiality protections could limit judicial oversight or legitimate access to court proceedings
  • Implementation challenges: Determining which personal information qualifies for confidentiality and training court staff on new protocols may strain resources and create inconsistent application
  • Definition scope: Unclear whether "personal information" covers addresses, phone numbers, employment details, or additional identifiers, potentially affecting how broadly protection extends

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

Sign in to ask a question.