BILL ANALYSIS


                                                          S.B. 47
                                                      By: Shapiro
                                                 Criminal Justice
                                                          2-15-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)

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 grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

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.