85R1906 MEW-D
By: Canales H.B. No. 324
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the recording and disclosure of certain grand jury
proceedings that involve a governmental employee.
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 AND DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN GRAND JURY
PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEE. (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 by the state or a political subdivision of the state at the
time of the offense of which the person is suspected or accused; and
(2) the offense of which the person is suspected or
accused is alleged to have been committed during the course and
scope of the person's duties as an employee.
(b) A record made under Subsection (a) or a typewritten
transcription of that record shall be disclosed to the 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, 2017.