Access to criminal history record information by certain legal services providers

Texas Senate Bill 2445, introduced by Senator Judith Zaffirini in March 2025, aimed to grant legal service providers funded by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation access to criminal history records maintained by the Department of Public Safety. This access was intended to assist these providers in seeking expunctions (removal) and nondisclosure (sealing) of criminal records for their clients. The bill also allowed the obtained criminal history information to be shared with Texas courts as part of the legal process. However, the bill was referred to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on March 25, 2025, and did not progress further, effectively dying in committee.

Positive media analysis is being generated.

Although there is no direct media coverage critiquing SB2445, potential concerns might have included issues related to privacy and data security. Granting access to sensitive criminal history information to additional entities could raise questions about how this data is handled and protected. Critics might have also questioned whether the bill provided sufficient safeguards to prevent misuse of the information or unintended consequences arising from broader dissemination of criminal records.