HBA-SEP H.B. 855 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 855 By: Dutton Criminal Jurisprudence 3/19/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law requires grand jurors, the district attorney, the bailiff, witnesses, and all persons appearing before a grand jury to take a solemn oath to keep all deliberations secret indefinitely. House 855 requires these people to maintain the secrecy of grand jury proceedings until the term of the grand jury expires. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 855 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require certain people to maintain the secrecy of grand jury proceedings throughout the term of the grand jury including any period during which the term of the grand jury has been extended. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.