TX HB153

Amends eligibility requirements for veterans treatment court programs to make participation presumptive rather than requiring prosecutor consent

Shifts burden to prosecutors, who must now show "good cause" to deny a defendant's participation in the program, rather than defendants needing prosecutor approval to participate

Eligible defendants include veterans and current military members (including reserves, National Guard, and state guard) who suffer from service-connected brain injury, mental illness, PTSD, or military sexual trauma that affected their criminal conduct

Also covers defendants whose participation would likely achieve public safety through rehabilitation, based on their conduct, background, and criminal history

Takes effect September 1, 2025