86R13636 ADM-D
By: González of Dallas H.B. No. 4234
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to public access to hearings or proceedings for setting
bail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 17.50 to read as follows:
Art. 17.50. PROCEEDING OPEN TO PUBLIC. (a) Any hearing or
other proceeding at which a magistrate sets the amount of bail for a
defendant, including a proceeding under this chapter or Article
15.17, must be open to the public.
(b) A magistrate may satisfy the requirements of this
article by ordering that the proceeding be broadcast by closed
circuit equipment to a location that is reasonably close to the
proceeding.
(c) A broadcast made under Subsection (b) must be recorded
by the magistrate and the recording maintained for a period of not
less than one year.
SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a hearing or proceeding
that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.