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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the recording and disclosure of certain grand jury |
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proceedings that involve a peace officer. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 20, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Article 20.013 to read as follows: |
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Art. 20.013. RECORDING AND DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN GRAND JURY |
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PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING A PEACE OFFICER. (a) The entire grand jury |
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proceeding shall be recorded either by a stenographer or by use of |
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an electronic device capable of recording sound if: |
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(1) the person who is suspected or accused was |
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employed as a peace officer at the time of the offense of which the |
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person is suspected or accused; and |
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(2) the offense of which the person is suspected or |
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accused is alleged to have been committed during the course and |
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scope of the person's duties as a peace officer. |
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(b) A record made under Subsection (a) or a typewritten |
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transcription of that record shall be disclosed to the public if the |
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grand jury finds no bill of indictment. |
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SECTION 2. Article 20.02(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Article 20.013, the [The] |
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proceedings of the grand jury shall be secret. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies only to a grand jury whose term |
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commences on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |