BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 48 By: Shapiro Criminal Justice 3-24-95 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND A crime victim is currently allowed to provide a written statement to the Board of Pardons and Paroles when an offender is being considered for parole, but the victim is not allowed to appear before the board. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 48 provides the victim of a crime the right to appear in person before the parole panel. 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 Section 8(f)(2), Article 42.18, Code of Criminal Procedure, to require the parole panel of the Board of Pardons and Paroles (board) to entitle the victim or victim's guardian to make a statement before the board members regarding the offense and the defendant. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Article 56.08(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows: (a) Requires the victim to be notified of the victim's right to appear in person before a member of the board. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.