By Allen H.B. No. 1731 76R6560 PEP-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the right of victims of a sexual assault to the 1-3 presence of a victim assistance coordinator, crime victim advocate, 1-4 or other representative during certain medical examinations. 1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-6 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal 1-7 Procedure, is amended by adding Article 56.045 to read as follows: 1-8 Art. 56.045. RIGHT TO PRESENCE OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE 1-9 COORDINATOR, CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATE, OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE. A 1-10 victim of a sexual assault may not be denied the opportunity to 1-11 have the victim assistance coordinator, an advocate from a crime 1-12 victim assistance program, or another representative of the 1-13 victim's choice present with the victim at any medical examination 1-14 conducted for the purpose of collecting evidence related to the 1-15 investigation or prosecution of the offense. 1-16 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-17 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-18 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-19 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-20 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-21 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.