85R4045 YDB-D
 
  By: Perry S.B. No. 378
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the persons authorized to conduct an inquest in certain
  counties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 27,
  Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER C. CONDUCTING COURT AND INQUESTS
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 27, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 27.0545 to read as follows:
         Sec. 27.0545.  EXCHANGE OF BENCHES: INQUESTS.  (a)  If a
  justice of the peace or the county judge of a county to which
  Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, applies is
  not available to conduct an inquest into a person's death occurring
  in the county, the justice of the peace of the precinct in which the
  death occurred or the county judge may request a justice of the
  peace of another county to which that subchapter applies to conduct
  the inquest.
         (b)  A justice of the peace who on request conducts an
  inquest under this section shall, not later than the fifth day after
  the date the inquest is initiated, transfer all information related
  to the inquest to the justice of the peace of the precinct in which
  the death occurred for final disposition of the matter.
         (c)  A justice of the peace who conducts an inquest under
  this section is not entitled to receive from the commissioners
  court of the county in which the death occurred any compensation,
  other than mileage, for conducting the inquest.
         SECTION 3.  Article 49.07(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subdivision (3) to read as follows:
               (3)  If a justice of the peace or the county judge
  serving the county in which the body or body part was found is not
  available to conduct an inquest, a person required to give notice
  under this article may ask the justice of the peace of the precinct
  in which the body or body part was found or the county judge to
  request a justice of the peace of another county to which this
  subchapter applies to conduct the inquest.  The justice of the peace
  that conducts the inquest shall, not later than the fifth day after
  the date the inquest is initiated, transfer all information related
  to the inquest to the justice of the peace of the precinct in which
  the body or body part was found for final disposition of the matter.  
  All expenses related to the inquest must be paid as provided by this
  chapter.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.