SRC-BWC S.B. 204 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 204 77R2653 ATP-FBy: Duncan Jurisprudence 1/22/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, sequestered jurors in a criminal case are not allowed to separate for meals or other purposes. As proposed, S.B. 204 gives a trial judge in a criminal matter the discretion to allow jurors to separate for overnight stays, meals, and other purposes. 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 Article 35.23, Code of Criminal Procedure, by authorizing the court in a criminal case to permit jurors to separate for meals or other proper purposes if the court has ordered the jury not to separate until a verdict has been rendered or the jury finally discharged. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001. Makes application of this Act prospective.