88R1162 MAW-D
By: Jones of Harris H.B. No. 476
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the release of certain defendants detained in jail
pending trial.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 17.1511 to read as follows:
Art. 17.1511. RELEASE OF DEFENDANT DETAINED LONGER THAN
POTENTIAL PUNISHMENT. Notwithstanding any other law, a defendant
may not be detained in jail pending trial for a cumulative period
that exceeds the maximum term of confinement that may be imposed on
conviction of the offense of which the defendant is accused.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a person who is arrested on or after the effective date of this
Act. A person arrested before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the person was arrested,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.