The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice convened on May 13, 2025, to discuss several key legislative proposals aimed at enhancing protections for victims and addressing emerging challenges in law enforcement. The meeting began with the presentation of House Bill 2596, introduced by Senator Zaffirini. This bill seeks to extend protective order eligibility to victims of burglary and attempted sexual assault, aligning their rights with those of victims of human trafficking and stalking. The bill was prompted by a case in which a burglary victim was denied a protective order despite the severity of the crime. The committee unanimously voted to recommend the bill for passage to the full Senate.

Following this, the committee reviewed House Bill 5238, sponsored by Senator Hinojosa. This legislation aims to expand existing laws against disrupting lawful meetings to include virtual gatherings, addressing the growing concern over electronic disruptions and hacking in online forums. The bill classifies such disruptions as a Class B misdemeanor. After a brief discussion, the committee also voted favorably on this bill, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.

The meeting concluded with the introduction of House Bill 33, known as the Uvalde Strong Act, which aims to address issues related to community safety and support for victims. The committee adopted a substitute version of the bill without objection, indicating a collaborative effort to refine the legislation.

Overall, the committee's discussions reflected a proactive approach to updating Texas laws to better protect victims and adapt to the evolving landscape of crime and technology. The next steps will involve further deliberation in the full Senate, where these bills will be considered for final approval.