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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the presentation of a statement by a victim, close |
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relative of a deceased victim, or guardian of a victim after the |
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conclusion of a juvenile disposition hearing. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 54.04, Texas Family Code, is amended by |
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adding new subsection (z) to read as follows: |
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(z) The juvenile court shall permit a victim, close relative |
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of a deceased victim, or guardian of a victim, as defined by Section |
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57.001, Texas Family Code, to appear in person to present to the |
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court and to the child a statement of the person's views about the |
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delinquent conduct and the effect of the delinquent conduct on the |
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victim. The victim, relative, or guardian may not direct questions |
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to the child while making the statement. The court reporter may not |
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transcribe the statement. The statement must be made: |
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(1) after the Court has determined that there is a need |
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for a disposition; |
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(2) after the Court has determined whether to place |
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the child on probation or commit the child to the Texas Juvenile |
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Justice Department; and |
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(3) after the Court has announced the terms and |
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conditions of the child's probation or committed the child to the |
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Texas Juvenile Justice Department. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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disposition hearing held on or after the effective date of this Act, |
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regardless of whether the delinquent conduct occurred before, on, |
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or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |