87R825 AJZ-D

By: Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 179

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to grand jury proceedings; providing a punishment for contempt of court.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 20A, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 20A.002 to read as follows:

Art. 20A.002. WHO MAY BE INVESTIGATED. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a grand jury may not investigate a person who is accused or suspected of an offense and may not vote to present an indictment for the offense if the person has previously been investigated by a grand jury for the same offense and that grand jury found no bill of indictment.

(b) A grand jury may investigate, and may present an indictment with respect to, a person described by Subsection (a) only if the attorney representing the state presents material evidence that was not known to the state before or during the previous grand jury investigation.

SECTION 2. Article 20A.102(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(a) While the grand jury is conducting proceedings, only the following persons may be present in the grand jury room:

(1) a grand juror;

(2) a bailiff;

(3) the attorney representing the state;

(4) a witness:

(A) while the witness is being examined; or

(B) when the witness's presence is necessary to assist the attorney representing the state in examining another witness or presenting evidence to the grand jury;

(5) an interpreter, if necessary;

(6) a stenographer or a person operating an electronic recording device, as provided by Article 20A.201; [and]

(7) a person operating a video teleconferencing system for use under Article 20A.259; and

(8) an attorney representing a witness, including a witness who is an accused or suspected person, during the time the witness is being examined or offering testimony to the grand jury and for the sole purpose of providing consultation in the manner described by Article 20A.1031.

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 20A, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Articles 20A.1031 and 20A.105 to read as follows:

Art. 20A.1031. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING WITNESS ENTITLED TO APPEAR. A witness who testifies before a grand jury, including a witness who is an accused or suspected person, is entitled to have an attorney present while the grand jury is questioning the witness. The grand jury shall permit the attorney or the witness to interrupt the questioning at any time so that the witness may consult with the attorney outside the hearing of the grand jury.

Art. 20A.105. PRESENTATION OF EXCULPATORY EVIDENCE BY STATE. (a) The attorney representing the state shall present to a grand jury investigating an offense any evidence that is:

(1) favorable to the accused or suspected person;

(2) material to the offense being investigated; and

(3) in the possession, custody, or control of the state or any person under contract with the state.

(b) Evidence described by Subsection (a) may be presented to the grand jury at any time during the investigation.

SECTION 4. The heading to Article 20A.201, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

Art. 20A.201. RECORDING OF GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS [ACCUSED OR SUSPECTED PERSON'S TESTIMONY]; RETENTION OF RECORDS.

SECTION 5. Articles 20A.201(a) and (b), Code of Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, all statements made by the grand jury or the attorney representing the state and the [The] examination and testimony of a witness [an accused or suspected person before the grand jury and that person's testimony] shall be recorded by a stenographer or by use of an electronic device capable of recording sound. Deliberations of the grand jury may not be recorded.

(b) The validity of a grand jury proceeding is not affected by an unintentional failure to record all or part of the proceedings as required by [examination or testimony under] Subsection (a).

SECTION 6. Article 20A.202(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A subpoena or summons relating to a grand jury proceeding or investigation must be kept secret to the extent and for as long as necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of a matter before the grand jury. This subsection may not be construed to limit a disclosure permitted by Article 20A.204(b), (c), or (d) or 20A.205 [20A.205(a) or (b)].

SECTION 7. Article 20A.204(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The attorney representing the state may not disclose anything transpiring before the grand jury except as permitted by this article or Article 20A.205 [Article 20A.205(a) or (b)].

SECTION 8. Subchapter E, Chapter 20A, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 20A.2041 to read as follows:

Art. 20A.2041. DISCLOSURE BY ATTORNEY REPRESENTING WITNESS. Except as provided by Article 20A.205, an attorney representing a witness may not disclose anything transpiring before the grand jury. An attorney who discloses information in violation of this article is subject to punishment for contempt in the same manner as a person who violates Article 20A.203(a).

SECTION 9. Article 20A.205, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

Art. 20A.205. DISCOVERY [PETITION FOR DISCLOSURE] BY OR ON BEHALF OF ACCUSED OR SUSPECTED PERSON [DEFENDANT]. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this article, if the state provides notice to an accused or suspected person of the grand jury investigation, as soon as practicable after receiving a request from an accused or suspected person, the attorney representing the state shall produce and permit the inspection and the electronic duplication, copying, and photographing, by or on behalf of the accused or suspected person, of any:

(1) offense reports, designated documents, or designated papers arising from the alleged offense;

(2) designated written or recorded statements of the accused or suspected person or a witness that arise from the alleged offense, including witness statements of law enforcement officers; and

(3) designated books, accounts, letters, photographs, or objects or other tangible things that:

(A) are not otherwise privileged;

(B) constitute or contain evidence material to any matter involved in the grand jury investigation; and

(C) are in the possession, custody, or control of the state or any person under contract with the state.

(b) Subsection (a) does not authorize the removal of documents, items, or information from the possession of the state, and any inspection shall be in the presence of a representative of the state.

(c) In the case of a pro se accused or suspected person, the state shall permit the inspection or review of the document, item, or information as provided by Subsection (a), but is not required to allow electronic duplication as described by that subsection.

(d) The attorney representing the state may provide to an accused or suspected person electronic duplicates of any document, item, or information described by Subsection (a).

(e) Subsection (a) does not authorize the disclosure of:

(1) the work product of the attorney representing the state in the investigation; or

(2) the work product of the state's investigators, including an investigator's notes or reports.

(f) The rights granted to the accused or suspected person under Subsection (a) do not extend to written communications between the state and an agent, representative, or employee of the state.

(g) If only a portion of the applicable document, item, or information is subject to discovery under this article, the state is not required to produce or permit the inspection of the remaining portion that is not subject to discovery and may withhold or redact that portion. The state shall inform the accused or suspected person that a portion of the document, item, or information has been withheld or redacted.

(h) The accused or suspected person, the attorney representing the accused or suspected person, or an investigator, expert, consulting legal counsel, or other agent of the attorney representing the accused or suspected person may not disclose to a third party any documents, evidence, materials, or witness statements received under this article unless:

(1) a court orders the disclosure after notice and hearing, on a showing of good cause and after considering the security and privacy interests of any victim or witness; or

(2) the documents, evidence, materials, or witness statements have already been publicly disclosed.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, information identifying any victim or witness, including the name of a victim or witness and including the address, telephone number, driver's license number, social security number, date of birth, or bank account information or any other information that by reference would make it possible to identify a victim or witness, is confidential and may not be disclosed unless the disclosure is ordered by the court under Subsection (h) or otherwise required by Subsection (j).

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the state shall disclose to the accused or suspected person any exculpatory, impeachment, or mitigating document, item, or information that is in the possession, custody, or control of the state or any person under contract with the state that tends to negate the guilt of the accused or suspected person or would tend to reduce the punishment for the offense being investigated.

(k) The state shall electronically record or otherwise document any document, item, or other information provided to the accused or suspected person under this article.

(l) A court may order the accused or suspected person to pay costs related to discovery under this article, not to exceed the amounts authorized to be charged by Subchapter F, Chapter 552, Government Code, for providing public information.

(m) Except as provided by Subsection (i), this article does not prohibit the attorney representing the state from providing discovery and documentation beyond that required by this article.

(n) This article applies only to discovery for a grand jury investigation. This article does not limit an accused or suspected person's right to discovery authorized by other law.

(o) [The defendant may petition a court to order the disclosure of information made secret by Article 20A.202, 20A.203(a), or 20A.204, including a recording or typewritten transcription under Article 20A.201, as a matter preliminary to or in connection with a judicial proceeding. The court may order disclosure of the information if the defendant shows a particularized need.

[(b) A petition for disclosure under Subsection (a) must be filed in the district court in which the case is pending. The defendant must also file a copy of the petition with the attorney representing the state, the parties to the judicial proceeding, and any other person the court requires. Each person who receives a copy of the petition under this subsection is entitled to appear before the court. The court shall provide interested parties with an opportunity to appear and present arguments for or against the requested disclosure.

[(c)] A person who receives information under this article and discloses that information in a manner not authorized by this article may be punished for contempt in the same manner as a person who violates Article 20A.203(a).

SECTION 10. Article 20A.257, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

Art. 20A.257. EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES. (a) A person who is subpoenaed to appear as a witness before a grand jury shall be given a reasonable opportunity to retain counsel and to consult with counsel before the person's appearance.

(b) Only a grand juror or the attorney representing the state may examine a witness before the grand jury.

(c) [(b)] The attorney representing the state shall advise the grand jury regarding the proper mode of examining a witness.

(d) Before the grand jury may question the witness, a witness appearing before a grand jury shall be orally given the following warning:

"Your testimony before this grand jury is under oath. Any material question that is answered falsely before this grand jury subjects you to being prosecuted for aggravated perjury. You have the right to refuse to make answers to any question, the answer to which would incriminate you in any manner. During questioning, you have the right to have an attorney present to advise you before making answers to questions you feel might incriminate you. Any testimony you give may be used against you at any subsequent proceeding."

(e) [(c)] If a felony has been committed in any county in the grand jury's jurisdiction, and the name of the offender is known or unknown or if it is uncertain when or how the felony was committed, the grand jury shall first state the subject matter under investigation to a witness called before the grand jury and may then ask questions relevant to the transaction in general terms and in a manner that enables a determination as to whether the witness has knowledge of the violation of any particular law by any person, and if so, by what person.

SECTION 11. Article 20A.258(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The warnings required under Subsection (a)(1) must consist of the following:

"Your testimony before this grand jury is under oath. Any material question that is answered falsely before this grand jury subjects you to being prosecuted for aggravated perjury. You have the right to refuse to make answers to any question, the answer to which would incriminate you in any manner. During questioning, you [You] have the right to have an attorney [a lawyer] present [outside this chamber] to advise you before making answers to questions you feel might incriminate you. Any testimony you give may be used against you at any subsequent proceeding. If you are unable to employ an attorney [a lawyer], you have the right to have an attorney [a lawyer] appointed to advise you before making an answer to a question, the answer to which you feel might incriminate you."

SECTION 12. Subtitle A, Title 2, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Chapter 14A to read as follows:

CHAPTER 14A. GRAND JURY LITIGATION

Sec. 14A.001. RECOVERY OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND RELATED EXPENSES; WAIVER OF IMMUNITY. (a) Not later than the 30th day after the date of the grand jury vote under Article 20A.301, Code of Criminal Procedure, the accused or suspected person may submit to the court an application to recover attorney's fees and other related expenses. The application must:

(1) allege that the position of the attorney representing the state was:

(A) not substantially justified; and

(B) vexatious, frivolous, or in bad faith; and

(2) show the amount of attorney's fees and other related expenses incurred by the accused or suspected person during the grand jury investigation, including an itemized statement submitted by any attorney representing the accused or suspected person or any expert witness testifying on behalf of the accused or suspected person and showing:

(A) the time actually expended; and

(B) the rate at which the fees and other expenses were calculated.

(b) The court may award reasonable attorney's fees and other related expenses to the accused or suspected person if the court:

(1) finds that the position of the attorney representing the state was not substantially justified, based on the record made in the grand jury investigation for which attorney's fees and other related expenses are requested;

(2) finds that the position of the attorney representing the state was vexatious, frivolous, or in bad faith; and

(3) does not find that special circumstances make the award unjust.

(c) To determine whether the position of the attorney representing the state was vexatious, frivolous, or in bad faith, the court, for good cause shown, may receive evidence ex parte and in camera, including evidence that reveals or might reveal the identity of an informant or undercover agent or matters occurring before a grand jury. The court shall keep evidence received under this subsection under seal.

(d) The attorney representing the state shall pay attorney's fees and other related expenses awarded under this section.

(e) Governmental immunity is waived and abolished to the extent of liability for attorney's fees and other related expenses under this section.

SECTION 13. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a grand jury proceeding that begins on or after the effective date of this Act. A grand jury proceeding that begins before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the proceeding began, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 14. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.