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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to excuses from grand jury service. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 19A.105(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The following qualified persons may be excused from |
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grand jury service: |
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(1) a person older than 70 years of age; |
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(2) a person responsible for the care of a child |
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younger than 18 years of age; |
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(3) a student of a public or private secondary school; |
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(4) a person enrolled in and in actual attendance at an |
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institution of higher education; [and] |
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(5) a person who is a legislative employee, as defined |
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by Section 306.008, Government Code, if the service would occur |
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during a legislative session; and |
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(6) any other person the court determines has a |
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reasonable excuse from service. |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a grand jury proceeding that begins on or after the effective date |
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of this Act. A grand jury proceeding that begins before the |
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effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the |
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date the proceeding began, and the former law is continued in effect |
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for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |