S.B. No. 357
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of protective orders for certain sexual,
  stalking, and trafficking offenses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 7A, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 7A.  PROTECTIVE ORDER FOR [CERTAIN] VICTIMS OF
  [TRAFFICKING OR] SEXUAL ASSAULT OR ABUSE, STALKING, OR TRAFFICKING
         SECTION 2.  Subsection (b), Article 7A.01, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An application for a protective order under this chapter
  may be filed in:
               (1)  a district court, juvenile court having the
  jurisdiction of a district court, statutory county court, or
  constitutional county court in:
                     (A) [(1)]  the county in which the applicant
  resides;
                     (B) [or (2)]  the county in which the alleged
  offender resides; or
                     (C)  any county in which an element of the alleged
  offense occurred; or
               (2)  any court with jurisdiction over a protective
  order under Title 4, Family Code, involving the same parties named
  in the application.
         SECTION 3.  Article 7A.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
  amended by Chapters 135 (S.B. 250) and 238 (H.B. 649), Acts of the
  82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, is reenacted and amended
  to read as follows:
         Art. 7A.03.  REQUIRED FINDINGS; ISSUANCE OF PROTECTIVE
  ORDER. (a)  At the close of a hearing on an application for a
  protective order under this chapter, the court shall find whether
  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant is the
  victim of sexual assault or abuse,[; or] stalking, or trafficking.
         (b)  If the court makes a finding described by Subsection (a) 
  [(a)(1) or (2)], the court shall issue a protective order that
  includes a statement of the required findings.
         SECTION 4.  Subsection (a), Article 7A.05, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In a protective order issued under this chapter, the
  court may:
               (1)  order the alleged offender to take action as
  specified by the court that the court determines is necessary or
  appropriate to prevent or reduce the likelihood of future harm to
  the applicant or a member of the applicant's family or household; or
               (2)  prohibit the alleged offender from:
                     (A)  communicating:
                           (i)  directly or indirectly with the
  applicant or any member of the applicant's family or household in a
  threatening or harassing manner; or
                           (ii)  in any manner with the applicant or any
  member of the applicant's family or household except through the
  applicant's attorney or a person appointed by the court, if the
  court finds good cause for the prohibition;
                     (B)  going to or near the residence, place of
  employment or business, or child-care facility or school of the
  applicant or any member of the applicant's family or household;
                     (C)  engaging in conduct directed specifically
  toward the applicant or any member of the applicant's family or
  household, including following the person, that is reasonably
  likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass the
  person; and
                     (D)  possessing a firearm, unless the alleged
  offender is a peace officer, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code,
  actively engaged in employment as a sworn, full-time paid employee
  of a state agency or political subdivision.
         SECTION 5.  The change in law made by this Act in amending
  Chapter 7A, Code of Criminal Procedure, applies only to a
  protective order issued on or after the effective date of this Act.
  A protective order issued before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the order is issued, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 357 passed the Senate on
  April 25, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 22, 2013, by the
  following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 357 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 16, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 143,
  Nays 0, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor