HB 3417
AN ACT relating to the confidentiality of administrative subpoenas for
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Allows prosecutors and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force officers to issue administrative subpoenas with confidentiality provisions for investigations involving online sexual exploitation. Under the new law, these subpoenas can prohibit electronic communication services from disclosing the existence of the subpoena, the details of records requested, or whether they have provided any records. The provision aims to protect sensitive investigations by preventing potential suspects from being tipped off about ongoing law enforcement inquiries.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the confidentiality of administrative subpoenas for offenses that involve the Internet-based sexual exploitation of a BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 422.003, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) and amending Subsection (c) to read as (b-1) If the prosecuting attorney or officer of an ICAC task force issuing a subpoena under Subsection (b) determines that any of the following disclosures could significantly impede or jeopardize the investigation, the subpoena may provide that the electronic communication service or remote computing service to which the subpoena is directed may not: (1) disclose that the subpoena has been issued; (2) identify or describe any records or other documentation requested in the subpoena; or (3) disclose whether records or other documentation has been provided in response to the subpoena. (c) A subpoena under Subsection (b) must: (1) describe any objects or items to be produced; (2) prescribe a reasonable return date by which those objects or items must be assembled and made available; and (3) if applicable, state the determination of the prosecuting attorney or officer of an ICAC task force described by SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a subpoena issued on or after the effective date of this Act. A subpoena issued before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the subpoena was issued, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the confidentiality of administrative subpoenas for
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