81R7979 YDB-D
By: Madden H.B. No. 1608
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to donations of juror reimbursements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.003(a), Government Code, as amended
by Chapters 661 (H.B. 1204) and 1378 (S.B. 560), Acts of the 80th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, is reenacted and amended to
read as follows:
(a) Each person who reports for jury service shall be
personally provided a form letter that when signed by the person
directs the county treasurer to donate all, or a specific amount
designated by the person, of the person's daily reimbursement under
this chapter to:
(1) the compensation to victims of crime fund under
Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(2) the child welfare board of the county appointed
under Section 264.005, Family Code;
(3) any programs or resources selected by the
commissioners court that provide support for child abuse prevention
and child protection;
(4) any program selected by the commissioners court
that is operated by a public or private nonprofit organization and
that provides shelter and services to victims of family violence;
or
(5) [(4)] any other program approved by the
commissioners court of the county, including a program established
under Article 56.04(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, that offers
psychological counseling to jurors in criminal cases involving
graphic evidence or testimony.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to donations from jurors appearing in response to a summons issued
on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.