Brief History of Sexual Assault Laws in Texas

1993 - Marital exemptions were removed from Texas statutes.

1995 - Individuals reporting a sexual assault were no longer allowed to be required to take a polygraph test as a condition of investigating their claim.

1997 - Statute of limitations for child sexual assault increased to 10 years from the victim’s 18th birthday.

1997 - State certification of sexual assault programs and sexual assault nurse examiners.

1997 - Texas’ anti-stalking law became effective.

1999 - The Civil Commitment Bill allowed for certain sex offenders to be confined after their release from prison.

2001 - Extended the statute of limitations for sexual assault to 10 years, instead of five. If DNA evidence is collected there is no statute of limitations.

2003 - Requirement for law enforcement officers to provide information in writing about local sexual assault services.

2003 - Extended the right of a protective order to include victims of sexual assault regardless of relationship between the victim and the perpetrator.

2005 - Requirement that law enforcement agencies immediately request a forensic exam for sexual assault victims who report an assault within 96 hours of the occurrence.

2007 - Jessica’s Law passes, extending and in some cases eliminating the statute of limitations for child sexual assault. Continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children offense is created.

2007 - Address Confidentiality Program for victims of family violence, sexual assault or stalking is created.