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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to donations of juror reimbursements. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.003(a), Government Code, as amended |
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by Chapters 661 (H.B. 1204) and 1378 (S.B. 560), Acts of the 80th |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, is reenacted and amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Each person who reports for jury service shall be |
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personally provided a form letter that when signed by the person |
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directs the county treasurer to donate all, or a specific amount |
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designated by the person, of the person's daily reimbursement under |
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this chapter to: |
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(1) the compensation to victims of crime fund under |
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Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure; |
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(2) the child welfare board of the county appointed |
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under Section 264.005, Family Code; |
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(3) any programs or resources selected by the |
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commissioners court that provide support for child abuse prevention |
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and child protection; |
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(4) any program selected by the commissioners court |
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that is operated by a public or private nonprofit organization and |
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that provides shelter and services to victims of family violence; |
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or |
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(5) [(4)] any other program approved by the |
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commissioners court of the county, including a program established |
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under Article 56.04(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, that offers |
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psychological counseling to jurors in criminal cases involving |
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graphic evidence or testimony. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to donations from jurors appearing in response to a summons issued |
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on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |