SRC-JJJ S.B. 216 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 216
By: Duncan
Criminal Justice
7/21/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law allows a person convicted of theft to serve on a grand
jury.  S.B. 216 will include a conviction of theft as a disqualification
for service on a grand jury. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 216 disqualifies a person convicted of theft from
selection or service as a grand juror.  

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 Article 19.08, Code of Criminal Procedure, to include a
conviction of theft as a disqualification for serving as a grand juror. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Article 19.25, Code of Criminal Procedure, to authorize
certain qualified persons to be excused from grand jury service, including
a person older than 70, rather than 65 years. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Chapter 19, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Article 19.42, as follows: 

Art. 19.42.  PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT GRAND JURORS.  Establishes that
certain information collected by the court, court personnel, or prosecuting
attorney during the grand jury selection process about a person who serves
as a grand juror is confidential and may not be disclosed by the court,
court personnel, or prosecuting attorney.  Requires the court, on a showing
of good cause, to permit disclosure of the information sought to a party to
the proceeding. 

SECTION 4.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 6.  Emergency clause.