Amend HB 1337 by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill to read as follows and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
SECTION ____. Section 508.117, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b) and (e) and adding Subsections (b-1) and (b-2) to read as follows:
(b) A victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim who would have been entitled to notification of parole consideration by the division but failed to provide a victim impact statement containing the person's name and address may file with the division a written request for notification. After receiving the written request for notification, the division shall grant to the person all privileges, including notification under this section, to which the person would have been entitled had the person submitted a completed victim impact statement.
(b-1) Regardless of whether a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim provided a victim impact statement or indicated on the statement that the person did or did not wish to be notified of any parole hearing for the defendant, the victim, guardian, or close relative may file with the division a written protest to notification indicating:
(1) that the person wishes to be notified of any parole hearing for the defendant; or
(2) that the person does not wish to receive any notification concerning the release of the defendant on parole but rather protests any subsequent release of the defendant on parole and wishes to receive notification of the defendant's release on parole.
(b-2) Notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure, a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim may file a protest of notification described by Subsection (b-1) at any time, including immediately after a judgment is entered in the case.
(e) Before an inmate is released from the institutional division on parole or to mandatory supervision, the pardons and paroles division shall give notice of the release to a person entitled to notification of parole consideration for the inmate under Subsection (a) or (b), unless the person has filed with the division a written protest under Subsection (b-1) and has not withdrawn that protest.