By: Bowers H.B. No. 1824       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   related to monitoring domestic violence offenders through advanced   tracking systems to enhance victim safety.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as the Sharon Radebaugh   Domestic Violence Protection Act          SECTION 2.  FINDINGS AND PURPOSE (a) The Legislature finds   that domestic violence remains a critical issue affecting the   safety and well-being of Texas residents. One in four women and one   in seven men in the United States experience domestic violence. (b)   The purpose of this Act is to strengthen the monitoring of domestic   violence offenders, implement GPS tracking systems for high-risk   offenders, enhance victim safety, and prevent further abuse.          SECTION 3.  AMENDMENT TO TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE   (a) Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding   Article 17.2925 as follows:          Art. 17.2925.  ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF HIGH-RISK DOMESTIC   VIOLENCE OFFENDERS (1) A court shall require any individual   released on bond for an offense involving family violence, as   defined under Section 71.004, Family Code, to be monitored by a GPS   tracking device if the court determines the defendant poses a   continuing threat to the victim. (2) High-risk offenders shall be   defined as those with a history of violent behavior, use of   firearms, prior violations of protective orders, or threats of harm   to the victim. (3) The electronic monitoring system must provide   real-time tracking and include automatic alerts to the victim, law   enforcement, and a designated monitoring center if the offender   enters a prohibited zone established by the court. (4) The offender   shall bear the cost of the electronic monitoring system unless the   court determines that the offender is indigent, in which case a   state-funded victim assistance program shall cover the cost.          SECTION 4.  AMENDMENT TO TEXAS FAMILY CODE (a) Section   85.022, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d):   (d)  The court issuing a protective order under this section shall   require the respondent to wear a GPS tracking device for the   duration of the order if the respondent has been convicted of   domestic violence within the past five years or is deemed by the   court to pose a significant risk to the victim. The respondent shall   be prohibited from entering exclusion zones established in the   order, including the victim's home, workplace, or school.          SECTION 5.  VICTIM NOTIFICATION AND PROTECTIONS (a) Victims   shall be notified through an electronic device (e.g., smartphone   app, text message, or email) when an offender breaches an exclusion   zone or violates the terms of a protection order. (b) The Department   of Public Safety (DPS) shall establish a victim assistance program   to provide immediate resources to victims notified of an offender's   violation, including emergency shelters and direct communication   with law enforcement. (c) The identity and location of the victim   shall remain confidential, and no information shall be provided to   the offender regarding the victim's whereabouts unless legally   required.          SECTION 6.  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE   MONITORING PROGRAM (a) The DPS shall establish a Domestic Violence   Monitoring Program to: (1) Oversee compliance with electronic   monitoring requirements; (2) Ensure coordination between local law   enforcement and victim services; (3) Maintain a database of   domestic violence offenders subject to electronic monitoring; (4)   Provide annual reports to the Legislature on the effectiveness of   electronic monitoring in reducing repeat offenses.          SECTION 7.  FUNDING (a) The Legislature shall appropriate   necessary funds to support the implementation of this Act,   including costs associated with GPS monitoring, law enforcement   training, and victim assistance services. (b) Fees may be assessed   to offenders to offset the cost of monitoring equipment. In cases of   financial hardship, the state shall ensure access to monitoring for   all victims in need.          SECTION 8.  ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES (a) Any offender who   removes, tampers with, or disables a GPS tracking device shall be   subject to immediate arrest and revocation of bond or parole. (b)   Law enforcement agencies must respond immediately to GPS violation   alerts and take appropriate action to protect the victim.          SECTION 9.  EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect September   1, 2025.