H.B. No. 799
AN ACT
relating to the persons authorized to conduct an inquest in certain
counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 27,
Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER C. CONDUCTING COURT AND INQUESTS
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 27, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 27.0545 to read as follows:
Sec. 27.0545. EXCHANGE OF BENCHES: INQUESTS. (a) If a
justice of the peace or the county judge of a county to which
Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, applies is
not available to conduct an inquest into a person's death occurring
in the county, the justice of the peace of the precinct in which the
death occurred or the county judge may request a justice of the
peace of another county to which that subchapter applies to conduct
the inquest.
(b) A justice of the peace who on request conducts an
inquest under this section shall, not later than the fifth day after
the date the inquest is initiated, transfer all information related
to the inquest to the justice of the peace of the precinct in which
the death occurred for final disposition of the matter.
(c) A justice of the peace who conducts an inquest under
this section is not entitled to receive from the commissioners
court of the county in which the death occurred any compensation,
other than mileage, for conducting the inquest.
SECTION 3. Article 49.07(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subdivision (3) to read as follows:
(3) If a justice of the peace or the county judge
serving the county in which the body or body part was found is not
available to conduct an inquest, a person required to give notice
under this article may ask the justice of the peace of the precinct
in which the body or body part was found or the county judge to
request a justice of the peace of another county to which this
subchapter applies to conduct the inquest. The justice of the peace
that conducts the inquest shall, not later than the fifth day after
the date the inquest is initiated, transfer all information related
to the inquest to the justice of the peace of the precinct in which
the body or body part was found for final disposition of the matter.
All expenses related to the inquest must be paid as provided by this
chapter.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 799 was passed by the House on March
15, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 799 was passed by the Senate on May
11, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor