TX SB989

Requires applicants for court positions (masters, magistrates, referees, associate judges, or other officials who determine bail eligibility or amounts) to submit fingerprints for criminal background checks

Courts must conduct criminal history record checks using information from the Texas Department of Public Safety and FBI before appointing or employing these court officials

Courts with criminal jurisdiction (district courts, county courts, justice courts, and municipal courts) are entitled to access criminal history records from DPS for evaluating these applicants

Criminal history information obtained may only be used to evaluate applicants and cannot be released without the subject's consent

Courts must destroy all criminal history record information obtained after the expiration of any probationary term of the person's appointment or employment

Effective date: September 1, 2025