By: Gallego H.B. No. 2597 73R6836 GWK-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the right of a guardian of a victim or close relative 1-3 of a victim to be present at certain criminal proceedings. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Article 56.02(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is 1-6 amended to read as follows: 1-7 (b) A victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a 1-8 deceased victim is entitled to the right to be present at all 1-9 public court proceedings related to the offense, subject to the 1-10 approval of the judge in the case. 1-11 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 1-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-14 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-15 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 1-16 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 1-17 passage, and it is so enacted.