Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_______ C RIMINAL
RIMINAL JUSTICE
USTICE/Domestic /Domestic Violence
77 th Texas Legislature
Prohibits a person subject to a protective order or convicted of an offense involving family violence from
possessing a firearm.
Makes it an offense if a person, who has been convicted of an assault punishable as a Class A
misdemeanor and involving a member of the person's family or household, possesses a firearm before the
fifth anniversary of the later of that person's release from confinement or community supervision.
Provides that a person, other than a peace officer, actively engaged in employment as a sworn, full-time
paid employee of a state agency or political subdivision, who is subject to a protective order, commits an
offense if the person possesses a firearm after receiving notice of the order and before expiration of the
order.
Expanding Access to the Texas Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund - H.B. 519
by Representative Gallego
Senate Sponsor: Senator Zaffirini
Victims of domestic violence are currently eligible to file a claim with the Texas Crime Victim’s
Compensation Fund to seek compensation for certain costs, including relocation costs. However, the term
“domestic violence” is not defined under certain statutes and this omission may exclude certain persons
who could benefit from assistance with relocation costs.
Establishes a definition that enables a victim of sexual assault who is assaulted in the victim’s place of
residence to qualify for compensation.
Address Confidentiality in Protective Orders - H.B. 593
by Representative Goodman
Senate Sponsor: Senator Harris
Deletes requirement that the address of the individual alleged to have committed family violence be
included in an application for a protective order.
Strikes provisions that, in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, required the following information:
the sex, place of birth, and residence of the child; the ages and residences of the petitioner or the parents;
and the residences of a managing conservator, custodian, guardian, possessory conservator, persons
having possession of or access to the child, and the alleged father of the child.
Deletes requirement that the obligor’s and obligee’s addresses be included in a registration for enforcement
of a support order.
Senate Research Center 39