Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center: Texas Penal Code §42.075

Texas Criminal Law

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The Texas Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center law makes it illegal to disclose or publicize the location or physical layout of a family violence shelter center or victims of trafficking shelter center with the intent to threaten the safety of any of their inhabitants.

The Texas legislature enacted this criminal offense in 2019 and codified it in Texas Penal Code Section 42.075. The legislature did not update this law in 2023. In fact, this law has not been amended since its enactment.

The Penal Code codifies the Texas Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center law under Title 9 “Offenses Against Public Order and Decency,” Chapter 42 “Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses.” Learn more about the Texas offense of Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center below.

What is the current Texas law about Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center?

The current Texas law defines the offense of Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center in Penal Code Section §42.075 as follows:[1]

(b) A person commits an offense if the person, with the intent to threaten the safety of any inhabitant of a family violence shelter center or victims of trafficking shelter center, discloses or publicizes the location or physical layout of the center.

The 86th Legislature enacted this offense in 2019,[2] and it went into effect September 1, 2019.[3]

What is the statute of limitation for Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center in Texas?

As a misdemeanor, Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center charges have a two-year limitations period.[4]

What is the penalty for a Texas Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center offense?

Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. [5]

Can you get probation for Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center in Texas?

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure allows both judges and juries to grant probation for Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center, and judges are also allowed to accept deferred adjudication plea deals.[6]

What level of crime is Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center in Texas?

The Penal Code classifies Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center as a Class A misdemeanor.

Learn more about the penalty range for this offense in the section above.


^1. Texas Penal Code §42.075. This law is current as of the 88th Legislature Regular Session.^2. HB 3091, 86th Legislature, Section 2^3. HB 3091, 86th Legislature, Section 4^4. See Code of Criminal Procedure 12.02(a)^5. Texas Penal Code §42.075(c), as enacted by HB 3091, 86th Legislature, Section 2^6. See Chapter 42, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 42A.054, Art. 42A.056, Art. 42A.102 .


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