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.