| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the review of clemency applications from certain |
|
|
persons who were victims of human trafficking or family violence. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Chapter 48, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
|
amended by adding Article 48.015 to read as follows: |
|
|
Art. 48.015. CLEMENCY REVIEW PANEL FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES. |
|
|
(a) In this article: |
|
|
(1) "Board" means the Board of Pardons and Paroles. |
|
|
(2) "Clemency" means reprieves and commutations of |
|
|
punishments and pardons. |
|
|
(b) The board shall develop a process and form for persons |
|
|
for persons convicted of an offense committed while under force, |
|
|
fraud, duress or coercion as a result of being the victim of an |
|
|
offense under Chapter 20A, Penal Code, or a victim of family |
|
|
violence as defined in Chapter 71, Family Code to apply for |
|
|
clemency. The board shall publish the application form on the |
|
|
board's Internet website. An application for clemency may include |
|
|
written recommendations from a majority of trial officials, as |
|
|
defined by rule by the board, currently serving in the county in |
|
|
which the person was convicted. |
|
|
(c) On receipt of an application for clemency under this |
|
|
article, the board shall review the application and, not later than |
|
|
six months after the date they received the application, make a |
|
|
recommendation to the governor regarding whether to grant clemency |
|
|
to the applicant. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |