79S31405 KCR-D

By:  Eiland                                                       H.B. No. 158



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the separation of certain facilities for juries 
deliberating in criminal trials.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Article 36.21, Code of Criminal Procedure, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Art. 36.21.  TO PROVIDE JURY ROOM.  (a) The sheriff shall 
provide a suitable room for the deliberation of the jury and supply 
them with such necessary food and lodging as he can obtain.  No 
intoxicating liquor shall be furnished them.
	(b)  In all cases wherein a jury consists partly of male 
jurors and partly of female jurors, the sheriff shall provide 
facilities for the female jurors separate and apart from the 
facilities provided for the male jurors.  Failure to comply with 
this subsection is not grounds for appeal and does not constitute 
reversible error for a defendant in a criminal case.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the 
legislative session.