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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the courtroom access of certain witnesses during a |
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criminal proceeding. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 36.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: |
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(f) Notwithstanding Rule 614, Texas Rules of Evidence, a |
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court may not place under rule a witness who is designated by the |
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prosecuting attorney as the lead investigator in the investigation |
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of the case. A witness described by this subsection may sit at the |
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same table as the prosecuting attorney. |
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SECTION 2. Under the terms of Section 22.109(b), |
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Government Code, Rule 614, Texas Rules of Evidence, is disapproved |
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to the extent that Rule 614 permits the exclusion of a witness who |
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is designated by the prosecuting attorney as the lead investigator |
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in the investigation of a case from hearing the testimony of other |
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witnesses in the case. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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criminal proceeding that commences on or after the effective date |
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of this Act. A criminal proceeding that commences before the |
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effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the |
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proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in effect for |
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that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |