HB1604 - Relating to public access to criminal proceedings.

  89R24426 MCF-F     By: Bucy H.B. No. 1604     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1604:     By:  Jones of Harris C.S.H.B. No. 1604       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to public access to criminal proceedings.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Article 1.24, Code of Criminal Procedure, is   amended to read as follows:          Art. 1.24.  PUBLIC TRIAL.  The proceedings , including a   proceeding under Article 15.17, and trials in all courts shall be   public.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 15, Code of Criminal Procedure, is   amended  by adding Article 15.1705 to read as follows:           Art.   15.1705.     PROCEEDINGS CONDUCTED BEFORE MAGISTRATE BY   LIVESTREAM OR VIDEOCONFERENCE.   (a) A court that as of January 1,   2026, does not have the physical capability, or is located in a   secured facility without the physical capability, to provide   in-person public access to a proceeding under Article 15.17 may   provide public access by livestream or videoconference.   The   livestream or videoconference must allow members of the public to   clearly see and hear the proceeding.           (b)     This article may not be construed as prohibiting a judge   from placing reasonable limits on in-person access to the court for   safety or to prevent overcrowding.          SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a criminal proceeding that commences on or after January 1, 2026.     A criminal proceeding that commenced before January 1, 2026, is   governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date   of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that   purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.