AN ACT 1-1 relating to characteristics of a defendant that shall not be used 1-2 by a judge to deny community supervision. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Section 3, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal 1-5 Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: 1-6 (g) A judge shall not deny community supervision to a 1-7 defendant based solely on the defendant's inability to speak, read, 1-8 write, hear, or understand English. 1-9 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 1-10 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-11 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-12 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-13 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-14 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1827 passed the Senate on May 5, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1827 passed the House on May 21, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor