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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to public access to hearings or other proceedings for |
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setting bail. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Article 17.50 to read as follows: |
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Art. 17.50. PROCEEDING OPEN TO PUBLIC. (a) Any hearing or |
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other proceeding at which a magistrate sets the amount of bail for a |
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defendant, including a proceeding under this chapter or Article |
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15.17, must be open to the public. |
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(b) A magistrate may satisfy the requirements of this |
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article by ordering that the proceeding be broadcast by closed |
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circuit equipment to a location that is reasonably close to the |
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proceeding. |
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(c) A broadcast made under Subsection (b) must be recorded |
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by the magistrate and the recording maintained for a period of not |
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less than one year. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a hearing or proceeding |
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that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |