Amend HB 1572 by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to
read as follows and by renumbering existing SECTIONS accordingly:
      SECTION _. Chapter 36, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended
by adding Article 36.03 to read as follows:
      Art. 36.03.  INVOCATION OF RULE. (a)  Notwithstanding Rule
614, Texas Rules of Evidence, a court at the request of a party may
order the exclusion of a witness who for the purposes of the
prosecution is a victim, close relative of a deceased victim, or
guardian of a victim only if the witness is to testify and the
court determines that the testimony of the witness would be
materially affected if the witness hears other testimony at the
trial.
      (b)  On the objection of the opposing party, the court may
require the party requesting exclusion of a witness under
Subsection (a) to make an offer of proof to justify the exclusion.
      (c)  Subsection (a)  does not limit the authority of the
court on its own motion to exclude a witness or other person to
maintain decorum in the courtroom.
      (d)  In this article:
            (1)  "Close relative of a deceased victim" and
"guardian of a victim" have the meanings assigned by Article 56.01.
            (2)  "Victim" means a victim of any criminal offense.