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SB1946

Regular Session

Relating to the creation of a family violence criminal homicide prevention task force.

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
SB1946
Low
Relating to the creation of a family violence criminal homicide prevention task force.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Office of the Governor
Primary Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: N/A for immediate operations. The critical strategic deadline is December 1, 2026, when the Task Force must submit its report.
  • Agency Rulemaking: No immediate rulemaking is authorized. However, the Task Force is time-limited (abolished Jan 1, 2028), meaning their recommendations will likely be fast-tracked into agency rules or legislation in early 2027.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Seek Appointment: If you represent a family violence center (rural or urban) or a statewide legal aid organization, prepare nomination packages for the Governor’s Office immediately to ensure your operational reality is represented on the Task Force.
  • Audit Data Privacy: Review client confidentiality protocols and data-sharing agreements now to determine what aggregate data can be legally shared with the state if requested by the Task Force.
  • Monitor Proceedings: Assign a compliance officer to track the Task Force’s agenda; their discussions regarding "risk factors" will preview the 2027 legislative agenda and future grant conditions.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

No immediate amendments are required for current contracts. However, organizations receiving grants from the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division (CJD) or Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) must anticipate that FY 2027 grant renewals will incorporate new scope-of-work clauses based on the Task Force's recommendations regarding victim services and prevention protocols.

Hiring/Training

The Task Force is mandated to advise state agencies on training for professionals. Expect future state contracts to require specific certifications or training modules for staff handling family violence intake. Providers should prepare for these likely "unfunded mandates" in future budget cycles.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

There are no new statutory mandates to generate *new* records. However, family violence centers and healthcare providers should audit their current data systems (intake forms and incident reports) to ensure they can segregate and anonymize "risk factor" data. The Task Force is required to "collect and analyze" this data, and you should be prepared to respond to voluntary data requests.

Fees & Costs

There are no new fees imposed by this bill. Cost impacts are currently limited to the administrative time required to monitor Task Force proceedings and potential future training costs.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Data Access Authority: The bill requires the Task Force to "collect and analyze" data but does not grant subpoena power. It remains unclear how the Task Force will compel private or non-profit entities to share proprietary or privileged client data if those entities are unwilling to volunteer it.
  • Foreseeability Standards: The Task Force is charged with identifying "top risk factors" for homicide. Once these factors are published in the 2026 report, they may establish a new legal standard of "foreseeability" in civil litigation. If a provider fails to screen for a risk factor formally identified by this state body, it could be used to argue negligence in future liability lawsuits.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 5, 2025
Passed Senate
May 12, 2025
Passed House
May 28, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsCrime PreventionCrimesCrimes--against PersonsCrimes--against Persons--generalFamilyFamily--family ViolenceGovernorState Agencies, Boards & CommissionsState Agencies, Boards & Commissions--newly ProposedUniversity of Texas Health Science Center At HoustonAttorney GeneralCommission On Law Enforcement, TexasCourt Administration, Office ofFamily & Protective Services, Department ofFamily Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task ForceHealth & Human Services CommissionState Health Services, Department ofCriminal Justice Division, Governor's OfficeLaw Enforcement, Texas Commission On
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Senate Authors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Author
Coauthors (3)

House Sponsors

Rep. Christian ManuelDemocrat · Primary Sponsor
Joint Sponsors

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1946

Q

What does Texas SB1946 do?

SB1946 establishes the Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force, effective September 1, 2025. While this legislation imposes no immediate regulatory burdens or taxes on general commerce, it creates a strategic vehicle that will dictate future funding requirements and operational standards for non-profit service providers, healthcare systems, and state contractors. The Task Force’s findings, due December 2026, will likely form the basis for mandatory training protocols and data reporting requirements in the 2027 legislative session.

Q

Who authored SB1946?

SB1946 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB1946 signed into law?

SB1946 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB1946?

SB1946 is enforced by Office of the Governor (Criminal Justice Division).

Q

How urgent is compliance with SB1946?

The compliance urgency for SB1946 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB1946?

The cost impact of SB1946 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB1946 address?

SB1946 addresses topics including crime prevention, crimes, crimes--against persons, crimes--against persons--general and family.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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