By Hinojosa                                           H.B. No. 2352
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to evidence of innocence in criminal trials.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Part 1, Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedures,
 1-5     is amended by adding Article 38.02 to read as follows:
 1-6           Art. 38.02.  Evidence of innocence.  Evidence which proves or
 1-7     tends to prove that the accused is innocent of the offense for
 1-8     which he is charged is relevant and shall not be excluded on the
 1-9     basis that such evidence prejudices the State's case.
1-10           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-11           SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the crowded
1-12     condition of the calendars in both houses create an emergency and
1-13     imperative public necessity that the constitutional rule requiring
1-14     bills to be read on three several days in each house be suspended,
1-15     and this rule is hereby suspended.