✅An Act relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for or a person protected by a protective order.

HB 793

✅ HB 793: Guaranteeing Address Privacy for Domestic Violence Survivors

What it says it does:
Makes address confidentiality mandatory for survivors who request it in protective order cases. Judges must grant the request, and clerks must keep the information sealed from public access.

What it actually changes:
Removes judicial discretion and makes privacy automatic when requested. Requires court clerks to exclude survivor addresses from public records and restrict access to law enforcement and courts only. Expands protection to cover any address updates during the case or afterward.

Who is pushing for it:
Texas Family Law Foundation, Texas Council on Family Violence, and multiple law enforcement associations. Authored by Rep. Senfronia Thompson and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Judith Zaffirini.

Who benefits:
Survivors of domestic violence and their families. Legal advocates and law enforcement gain clearer rules to follow and fewer opportunities for errors that could endanger victims.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Rural or underfunded county courts may struggle to update systems and train clerks without state support. Survivors in smaller counties could face implementation delays.

Why this matters long term:
Creates a consistent statewide standard for survivor privacy. Reduces risks caused by uneven practices among judges and counties. Builds groundwork for expanding confidentiality protections to other sensitive cases.

What to watch next:
How county clerks implement secure handling of records, and whether the Legislature provides funding or oversight for rural compliance.

Bottom line:
HB 793 closes a dangerous loophole that left survivor safety up to chance. It is a strong example of bipartisan reform that strengthens rights without sacrificing transparency or oversight.

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