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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to jury instructions regarding parole eligibility for |
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certain felony offenses that are not eligible for parole. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 4, Article 37.07, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (c-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(c-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, |
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in the penalty phase of the trial of a felony case in which the |
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punishment is to be assessed by the jury for an offense described by |
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Section 508.145(a)(1), (2), (3), or (4), Government Code, the court |
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shall charge the jury in writing as follows: |
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"Under the law applicable in this case, if the defendant is |
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sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the length of time for which a |
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defendant is imprisoned may not be reduced by the award of parole." |
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SECTION 2. Section 4(c-1), Article 37.07, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, as added by this Act, applies to a defendant sentenced |
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for an offense on or after the effective date of this Act, |
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regardless of when the offense was committed. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |