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AN ACT
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relating to psychological counseling for certain grand jurors. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 56.04(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(f) The commissioners court may approve a program in which |
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the crime victim liaison or victim assistance coordinator may offer |
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not more than 10 hours of post-investigation or posttrial |
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psychological counseling for a person who serves as a grand juror, |
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alternate grand juror, juror, or [an] alternate juror in a grand |
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jury investigation or criminal trial involving graphic evidence or |
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testimony and who requests the post-investigation or posttrial |
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psychological counseling not later than the 180th day after the |
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date on which the grand jury or jury [in the trial] is dismissed. |
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The crime victim liaison or victim assistance coordinator may |
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provide the counseling using a provider that assists local criminal |
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justice agencies in providing similar services to victims. |
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SECTION 2. Section 61.003(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) Each person who reports for jury service shall be |
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personally provided a form letter that when signed by the person |
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directs the county treasurer to donate all, or a specific amount |
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designated by the person, of the person's daily reimbursement under |
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this chapter to: |
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(1) the compensation to victims of crime fund under |
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Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure; |
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(2) the child welfare, child protective services, or |
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child services board of the county appointed under Section 264.005, |
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Family Code, that serves abused and neglected children; |
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(3) any program selected by the commissioners court |
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that is operated by a public or private nonprofit organization and |
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that provides shelter and services to victims of family violence; |
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(4) any other program approved by the commissioners |
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court of the county, including a program established under Article |
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56.04(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, that offers psychological |
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counseling [to jurors] in criminal cases involving graphic evidence |
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or testimony; or |
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(5) a veterans court program established by the |
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commissioners court as provided by Chapter 124. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1264 passed the Senate on |
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April 19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1264 passed the House on |
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May 21, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 12, one |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |