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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the corroboration of certain testimony in the |
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prosecution of a trafficking of persons offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 20A.04, Penal Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as |
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follows: |
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(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] conviction |
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under this chapter may be had on the uncorroborated testimony of a |
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party to the offense. |
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(d) On request of the defendant or attorney representing the |
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state, the court shall hold a hearing regarding whether the |
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testimony of the party must be corroborated as required by Article |
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38.14, Code of Criminal Procedure. If the court determines that the |
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party providing the testimony was a willing participant in the |
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offense, the court shall instruct the jury in accordance with |
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Article 38.14, Code of Criminal Procedure. |
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SECTION 2. Section 20A.04, Penal Code, as amended by this |
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Act, applies only to a trial that begins on or after the effective |
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date of this Act, regardless of whether the alleged offense was |
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committed before, on, or after that date. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |