84R10586 GCB-D

By: Anderson of Dallas H.B. No. 3181

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to ethyl alcohol monitoring as a condition of community supervision for certain intoxication offenses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows:

(5) "Ethyl alcohol monitoring device" means:

(A) a device worn by the defendant that detects ethyl alcohol in the defendant's perspiration through transdermal testing; or

(B) a portable ethyl alcohol detection device carried by the defendant that:

(i) requires the defendant at specified or random intervals to submit a breath sample;

(ii) analyzes and records the sample;

(iii) transmits the results of the analysis; and

(iv) is capable of verifying that the breath sample was provided by the defendant.

SECTION 2. Section 13, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (o) to read as follows:

(o)(1) This subsection applies to a defendant for whom a judge may order or is required to order the installation and use of an ignition interlock device under Subsection (i).

(2) Notwithstanding Subsection (i) and subject to Subdivision (6), in lieu of or in addition to requiring a defendant to install and use an ignition interlock device under that subsection, the judge may require the defendant to submit to ethyl alcohol monitoring under this subsection. The judge must specify the date by which the defendant must begin wearing or using the ethyl alcohol monitoring device.

(3) The judge may revoke community supervision and order the defendant to the term of confinement specified in the defendant's sentence if:

(A) the defendant refuses to wear or use the ethyl alcohol monitoring device;

(B) the defendant tampers with or otherwise attempts to disable the device;

(C) the device shows that the defendant has violated a condition of community supervision; or

(D) the defendant fails to pay the costs of ethyl alcohol monitoring, if:

(i) payment is ordered under Subdivision (4) as a condition of community supervision; and

(ii) the judge determines that the defendant is not indigent and is financially able to make the payments as ordered.

(4) The cost of the ethyl alcohol monitoring device may be ordered paid as a condition of community supervision by the defendant to the court or to the entity designated by the judge under Subdivision (5) or waived or reduced based on the defendant's ability to pay. The court may impose a reasonable payment schedule for the cost of the device, in whole or in part, as applicable, for a period not to exceed twice the period of the court's order requiring ethyl alcohol monitoring.

(5) The judge may designate an appropriate entity to verify that the defendant is wearing or using the ethyl alcohol monitoring device appropriately, and to monitor the device.

(6) A judge may not order ethyl alcohol monitoring in lieu of an ignition interlock device under this subsection for a defendant subject to Section 49.09(h), Penal Code. The judge may order ethyl alcohol monitoring in addition to the ignition interlock device required under that section.

SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a defendant who is placed on community supervision on or after the effective date of this Act, regardless of whether the offense for which the defendant is placed on community supervision is committed before, on, or after that date.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.