Texas 2025 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3488 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/27/2025

                    89R10077 MCF-D
 By: DeAyala H.B. No. 3488


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to representation for an indigent person subject to a
 civil commitment proceeding.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 841.005, Health and Safety Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 841.005.  TEXAS BOARD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE [OFFICE OF
 STATE COUNSEL FOR OFFENDERS]. (a) In this section, "board" means
 the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.
 (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) [(b)], the board
 [Office of State Counsel for Offenders] shall provide
 representation for [represent] an indigent person subject to a
 civil commitment proceeding under this chapter.
 (c) [(b)]  If for any reason the board [Office of State
 Counsel for Offenders] is unable to provide representation for
 [represent] an indigent person described by Subsection (b) [(a)] at
 a civil commitment proceeding under this chapter, the court shall
 appoint other counsel to represent the indigent person.
 SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.