88R3893 MCF-D
 
  By: Meza H.B. No. 792
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the presence of a spiritual leader during the execution
  of a person.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 43.20, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Art. 43.20.  PRESENT AT EXECUTION. (a) The following
  persons may be present at the execution: the executioner, and such
  persons as may be necessary to assist the executioner [him] in
  conducting the execution; the Texas Board of Criminal Justice
  [Directors of the Department of Corrections], two physicians,
  including the prison physician, the spiritual leader [advisor] of
  the condemned person as provided by Subsection (b), the chaplains
  of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice [Corrections], the
  county judge and sheriff of the county in which the Texas Department
  of Criminal Justice [Corrections] is situated, and any of the
  relatives or friends of the condemned person that the person [he]
  may request, not exceeding five in number, shall be admitted. No
  convict shall be permitted by the prison authorities to witness the
  execution.
         (b)  The Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall allow a
  condemned person to choose a spiritual leader of the religion that
  the person practices to be present at the execution, including in
  the room during the person's execution.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.