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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain policies for bailiffs and the appointment of or |
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request for bailiffs for certain courts. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 53, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter A-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER A-1. GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING BAILIFFS |
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Sec. 53.011. APPOINTMENT OF OR REQUEST FOR BAILIFF FOR |
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CERTAIN COURTS. (a) This section applies only to a district court, |
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statutory county court, and county court, and only to the extent the |
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section does not conflict with a specific provision applicable to |
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that court that authorizes or restricts the court's authority with |
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respect to appointing a bailiff. |
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(b) The judge of a district court, statutory county court, |
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or county court may appoint a bailiff to: |
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(1) serve as a courtroom security officer; |
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(2) attend to the needs of a jury sitting for a civil |
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or criminal case; and |
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(3) act under the judge's direction in all courtroom |
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proceedings. |
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(c) Instead of appointing a bailiff under Subsection (b), |
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the judge of a district court, statutory county court, or county |
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court may request the county sheriff to provide a bailiff. On |
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receipt of the request, the sheriff shall provide a deputy sheriff, |
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peace officer, or any other person the sheriff considers qualified |
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to serve as bailiff for the court. |
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Sec. 53.012. USE OF FORCE POLICIES FOR BAILIFFS. (a) Each |
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county sheriff shall establish policies regarding the use of force |
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by a bailiff for any court in the county. |
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(b) A person acting as bailiff shall comply with the |
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policies established under Subsection (a) for that county. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |