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Bill

Bill

SB 1807

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 Judith Zaffirini

SB 1807 restricts public access to personal information of protective order applicants and beneficiaries to enhance victim safety and privacy.

Left pending in committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1807

Legislative bill overview

SB 1807 establishes confidentiality protections for personal information belonging to individuals who apply for or receive protective orders in Texas. The bill restricts access to sensitive details such as addresses, phone numbers, and identifying information to prevent abusers from locating victims through public records.

Why is this important

Protective orders are a critical safety tool for abuse victims, but public access to court records can inadvertently expose their location and contact information to the very people they're trying to avoid. Enhanced confidentiality provisions strengthen victim safety by limiting information available to potentially dangerous individuals while maintaining necessary transparency in the judicial system.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. Public Records Access: Balancing victim safety confidentiality against the principle of open court records and public oversight of judicial proceedings
  • Implementation Complexity: Determining which specific information qualifies for redaction and establishing consistent procedures across courts, which could create administrative burden
  • Definition Scope: Clarifying who qualifies for protection (applicants, protected parties, related family members) and what constitutes "personal information" may generate disagreement on bill boundaries

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

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