HB1752 - Relating to a limitation on public access by livestream or videoconference to certain criminal proceedings involving evidence depicting an act of a sexual nature.

  89R2991 MCF-D     By: Manuel H.B. No. 1752       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a limitation on public access by livestream or   videoconference to certain criminal proceedings involving   evidence depicting an act of a sexual nature.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 1, Code of Criminal Procedure, is   amended by adding Article 1.245 to read as follows:           Art.   1.245.     LIMITATION ON PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE LIVESTREAM IN   CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS. A court may not allow public access by   livestream or videoconference to any portion of a proceeding or   trial in which evidence depicting an act of a sexual nature is   presented unless:                 (1)     the court before the applicable portion of the   proceeding or trial provides notice to the victim or guardian of the   victim, the attorney representing the state, and the defendant that   the evidence will be publicly accessible by livestream or   videoconference; and                 (2)     the victim or guardian of the victim, the attorney   representing the state, and the defendant each consent to allowing   public access by livestream or videoconference to that portion of   the proceeding or trial.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a criminal proceeding that commences on or after the effective   date of this Act. A criminal proceeding that commenced before the   effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the   date the proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in   effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.