84R4300 MEW-D
By: Ellis S.B. No. 411
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the recording of certain grand jury proceedings that
involve a peace officer.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 20, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 20.013 to read as follows:
Art. 20.013. RECORDING OF CERTAIN GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS
INVOLVING A PEACE OFFICER. (a) The entire grand jury proceeding
shall be recorded either by a stenographer or by use of an
electronic device capable of recording sound if:
(1) the person who is suspected or accused was
employed as a peace officer at the time of the offense with which
the person is suspected or accused; and
(2) the offense with which the person is suspected or
accused is said to have been committed during the course and scope
of the person's duties as a peace officer.
(b) A disclosure of a record made under Subsection (a) or a
disclosure of a typewritten transcription of that record shall be
made public if the grand jury finds no bill of indictment.
SECTION 2. Article 20.02(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Article 20.013, the [The]
proceedings of the grand jury shall be secret.
SECTION 3. This Act applies only to a grand jury whose term
commences on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.