S.B. No. 1268
AN ACT
relating to a statement presented in a criminal case by a victim,
close relative of a deceased victim, or guardian of a victim.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1, Article 42.03, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) The court may not impose a limit on the number of
victims, close relatives, or guardians who may appear and present
statements under Subsection (b) unless the court finds that
additional statements would unreasonably delay the proceeding.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a
defendant who is sentenced for an offense on or after the effective
date of this Act, regardless of whether the offense is committed
before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1268 passed the Senate on
April 25, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1268 passed the House on
May 17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor