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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the presentation of a statement by certain persons at |
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the conclusion of a juvenile disposition hearing. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 54.04, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Subsection (z) to read as follows: |
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(z) A juvenile court conducting a hearing under this section |
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shall permit a victim, close relative of a deceased victim, or |
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guardian of a victim, as those terms are defined by Section 57.001, |
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to appear in open court to present to the court and to the child an |
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oral statement about the delinquent conduct and the effect of the |
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delinquent conduct on the victim. The statement may not include any |
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questions to the child and may not be transcribed by the court |
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reporter. A statement may be made only after the court has |
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announced the terms and conditions of the child's probation or |
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committed the child to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. This |
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subsection may not be construed to limit any right to which a person |
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is entitled under Section 57.002. |
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SECTION 2. Section 54.04, Family Code, as amended by this |
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Act, applies to a disposition hearing held on or after the effective |
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date of this Act, regardless of whether the delinquent conduct |
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occurred before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |