SRC-SLL H.B. 2102 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2102
By: Goodman (Ellis)
Jurisprudence
5-7-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, court proceedings for juveniles ages 10 to 17 may be open to
the public.  Many juveniles who are not yet convicted of a crime have been
subject to public scrutiny due to the access that the general public holds
in these juvenile court hearings, if the judge determines that the court
hearing is to be open.  This bill will provide regulations regarding the
closing of juvenile court hearings to the public. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2102 provides regulations regarding the closing of
juvenile court hearings to the public. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.08, Family Code, to prohibit the court from
prohibiting a person who is a victim of the conduct of a child, or the
person's family, from personally attending a hearing under this title
relating to the conduct by the child unless the victim or member of the
victim's family is to testify in the hearing or any subsequent hearing
relating to the conduct and the court determines that the victim's or
family member's testimony would be materially affected if the victim or
member of the victim's family hears other testimony at trial.  Defines
"family."  Requires the court to close the hearing to the public if a
child is under the age of 14 at the time of the hearing, unless the court
finds that the interests of the child or the interests of the public would
be better served by opening the hearing to the public. 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.