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By:  Wise                                                         H.B. No. 62 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use of visual aids in the prosecution of certain 
offenses committed against or witnessed by a child.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.   Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedure, is 
amended by adding Article 38.073 to read as follows:
	Art. 38.073.  VISUAL AIDS. (a)  This article applies to a 
proceeding in the prosecution of an offense under any of the 
following provisions of the Penal Code, if committed against or 
witnessed by a child younger than 16 years of age:
		(1)  Chapter 21 (Sexual Offenses) or 22 (Assaultive 
Offenses);       
		(2)  Section 25.02 (Prohibited Sexual Conduct); or                     
		(3)  Section 43.25 (Sexual Performance by a Child).                    
	(b)  A judge may permit the use of an anatomically detailed 
doll, mannequin, or drawing to assist a child younger than 16 years 
of age in providing testimony in the prosecution of an offense 
described by Subsection (a).
	SECTION 2.   This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.