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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the training of prospective grand jurors. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 19A, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, is amended by adding Article 19A.1021 to read as |
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follows: |
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Art. 19A.1021. TRAINING OF PROSPECTIVE GRAND JURORS |
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REQUIRED. Before a prospective grand juror may be accepted and |
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impaneled, each person who is presented to serve as a grand juror |
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must complete the training described by Section 72.0365, Government |
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Code. The acceptance and impanelment of a prospective grand juror |
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who has not completed the training described by Section 72.0365, |
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Government Code, does not affect the validity of a grand jury |
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proceeding and may not be used by a defendant as a ground for |
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appeal, a ground to set aside an indictment, conviction, or |
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sentence, or a ground in a habeas corpus petition. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 72.0365 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 72.0365. TRAINING COURSE FOR PROSPECTIVE GRAND JURORS. |
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(a) Before a prospective grand juror may be accepted and impaneled |
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under Chapter 19A, Code of Criminal Procedure, the prospective |
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grand juror shall complete a training course regarding grand jury |
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proceedings that is administered by the office. |
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(b) The training course required by Subsection (a): |
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(1) must include instruction regarding: |
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(A) the purpose and rules of grand jury service; |
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(B) the grand juror selection process; and |
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(C) grand jury procedures and deliberations; and |
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(2) may be offered online. |
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(c) The office shall adopt rules as necessary to implement |
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this section, including rules regarding the content of the training |
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course required by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Office of Court Administration of the Texas |
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Judicial System shall adopt rules as required by Section 72.0365, |
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Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a grand jury proceeding that begins on or after the effective date |
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of this Act. A grand jury proceeding that begins before the |
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effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the |
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date the proceeding began, and the former law is continued in effect |
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for that purpose. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |