78R4767 GWK-D

By:  Whitmire                                                     S.B. No. 882



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the confidentiality of a victim impact statement.                 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Article 56.03(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(f)  The court may not inspect a victim impact statement 
until after a finding of guilt or until deferred adjudication is 
ordered.  Except as provided by Subsection (g) and any other law 
that specifically permits inspection of the contents of a victim 
impact statement, the contents of a victim impact statement are 
confidential [and the contents of the statement may not be 
disclosed to any person unless:
		[(1)  the defendant pleads guilty or nolo contendere or 
is convicted of the offense; or
		[(2)  the defendant in writing authorizes the court to 
inspect the statement].
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.