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.