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House Bill 963 |
House Author: Guillen |
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Effective: 9-1-07 |
Senate Sponsor: West, Royce |
House Bill 963 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a sheriff, as applicable, to notify a witness who testified against a defendant, when the defendant is released, is transferred, or escapes. The bill makes the notification requirement inapplicable to an expert or official witness, expands the offenses that trigger notification of a victim or witness, and modifies procedures relating to such notification. House Bill 963 requires the department to create a computerized database containing information about defendants whose release triggers notification and to allow victims and witnesses entitled to notice to access the database. The bill requires the department to create the database by March 1, 2008, and to allow victims or witnesses access not later than September 1, 2008.