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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the recording of certain grand jury proceedings that |
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involve a peace officer. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 20, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Article 20.013 to read as follows: |
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Art. 20.013. RECORDING OF CERTAIN GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS |
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INVOLVING A PEACE OFFICER. (a) The entire grand jury proceeding |
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shall be recorded either by a stenographer or by use of an |
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electronic device capable of recording sound if: |
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(1) the person who is suspected or accused was |
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employed as a peace officer at the time of the offense with which |
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the person is suspected or accused; and |
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(2) the offense with which the person is suspected or |
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accused is said to have been committed during the course and scope |
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of the person's duties as a peace officer. |
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(b) A disclosure of a record made under Subsection (a) or a |
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disclosure of a typewritten transcription of that record shall be |
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made public if the grand jury finds no bill of indictment. |
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SECTION 2. Article 20.02(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Article 20.013, the [The] |
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proceedings of the grand jury shall be secret. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies only to a grand jury whose term |
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commences on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |