SRC-JBJ H.B. 1654 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1654
By: Talton (Brown)
Criminal Justice
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, when law enforcement officers secure arrest warrants for felony
suspects who are not in custody, the information related to the identity
and the charges are accessible by the public. There have been some
instances when parties not associated with the ongoing criminal
investigation have contacted or supplied information to others who have
contacted the charged suspect and informed them that a warrant has been
issued for their arrest.  H.B. 1654 disallows the disclosure of public
information related to suspects charged with felonies but who are not in
custody until the warrant is executed or until after the 30th day that a
warrant is filed, whichever is earlier. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 15, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Article 15.265, as follows: 

Art. 15.265.  NONDISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN ARREST WARRANTS AND RELATED
AFFIDAVITS.  Sets forth provisions regarding the disclosure of certain
arrest warrants and related information. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Article 15.26, Code of Criminal Procedure, to amend
provisions relating to the public nature of an arrest warrant and related
information. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.