BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 47 By: Shapiro (Allen) 05-03-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Current law does not require that the victim of an offense be notified if the defendant is placed on community supervision. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 47 sets forth guidelines for the notification of a victim concerning procedures in the community supervision process that apply to defendants. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article 42.131, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Section 14, as follows: Sec. 14. VICTIM NOTIFICATION. Requires a community supervision and corrections department (department) to notify a victim, victim's guardian, or close relative of the fact that a defendant has been placed on community supervision, the conditions of the community supervision, and the time and location of a hearing regarding the community supervision. (b) Provides that an attempt by the department to give notice to the victim, victim's guardian, or close relative at the last known telephone number or address, as shown on the records of the department, constitutes a reasonable attempt to give notice. (c) Defines "close relative of a deceased victim, " "guardian of a victim," and "victim." SECTION 2. Amends Article 56.08, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Subsection (d), as follows: (d) Requires an attorney representing the state to provide a victim's address and phone number to the department supervising the defendant if the defendant is placed on community supervision. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 47 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on April 26, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 4 absent.