Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 1996	House Author:  Leman
Effective:  9-1-19	Senate Sponsor:  Huffman et al.

            House Bill 1996 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a court to make both orally and in writing the admonition required to be given to a defendant before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere that, if the defendant is not a U.S. citizen, such a plea may result in deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization under federal law. The bill requires the court to receive a signed statement by the defendant and the defendant's attorney that the defendant understands the admonition and is aware of the plea's consequences and to make a record if the defendant is unable or refuses to sign the statement.