March 27, 2025
By Bill Raftery
Over 50 pieces of legislation in 25 states have been introduced as of mid-March 2025 to address concerns over judicial and courthouse security. This marks the fourth straight year of a high level of legislative interest. Most of the 2025 bills can be categorized into four main types:
- Prohibits the release of personally identifiable information regarding judges, court staff, and/or their families. One example is Kentucky H.B. 662, which prohibits state government agencies from disclosing personally identifiable information of individuals if a judicial officer or their immediate family member submits a written request to refrain from such disclosure. Once a request is received, the agency must remove the personally identifiable information within 72 hours. Other bills, such as South Carolina’s H.B. 3736, amend and expand existing laws in this area.
- Makes it easier for judicial officers to carry firearms. For example, Illinois H.B. 56, would allow judges to carry concealed firearms into courthouses with the written consent of the chief judge of the judicial circuit. Texas H.B. 3789 / S.B. 890 expands the types of judges who qualify for an expedited process to receive a concealed carry permit in the state.
- Creates or modifies court security plans and standards. Maryland H.B. 789 / S.B. 621 establishes minimum standards for courtroom security at all courthouse facilities. Among the minimum standards:
- Beginning July 1, 2026, the presence of a certain number of security officers in every court room during certain proceedings; and
- Beginning July 1, 2028, in every court room, the presence of one court security officer for any proceeding, two court security officers for any proceeding involving an incarcerated individual, and one additional officer for every four or fewer courtrooms on each floor of a courthouse.
- Creates a specific crime and/or enhanced penalties for actions taken against judicial officers. Missouri S.B. 453 for example, provides that any person convicted of the offense of tampering with a judicial officer and the offense of tampering with a judicial proceeding shall not be eligible for parole, probation, or conditional release.
A complete list of all legislation introduced on judicial security in 2025 can be found on the Gavel to Gavel website (www.ncsc.org/gaveltogavel) and sign up for the weekly newsletter published during state spring legislative sessions.
For previous Trending Topics on the history of judicial security legislation, see February 2022, February 2023, August 2023, February 2024, and May 2024.
Have a question on security or any court-related topic? Email us at Knowledge@ncsc.org or call 800-616-6164. Follow the National Center for State Courts on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Vimeo. For more Trending Topics posts, visit ncsc.org/trendingtopics and subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter.