Bill Text: TX HB1728 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the release on bail of certain defendants accused of committing a felony offense and the criminal consequences of committing a felony while released on bail for a prior felony; creating a criminal offense; increasing the minimum term of imprisonment for certain felonies; changing eligibility for deferred adjudication community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-07 - Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence [HB1728 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB1728-Introduced.html
  88R3170 JRR-D
 
  By: Cunningham H.B. No. 1728
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the release on bail of certain defendants accused of
  committing a felony offense and the criminal consequences of
  committing a felony while released on bail for a prior felony;
  creating a criminal offense; increasing the minimum term of
  imprisonment for certain felonies; changing eligibility for
  deferred adjudication community supervision, mandatory
  supervision, and parole.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1. MINIMUM BAIL FOR CERTAIN FELONY OFFENDERS
         SECTION 1.01.  Article 17.028(m), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows: 
         (m)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a magistrate may make a
  bail decision regarding a defendant who is charged only with a
  misdemeanor punishable by fine only or a defendant who receives a
  citation under Article 14.06(c) without considering the factor
  required by Article 17.15(a)(7) [17.15(a)(6)].
         SECTION 1.02.  Article 17.03(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows: 
         (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this article
  [Subsection (b) or (b-1)], a magistrate may, in the magistrate's
  discretion, release the defendant on personal bond without sureties
  or other security. 
         SECTION 1.03.  Article 17.15(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows: 
         (a)  The amount of bail and any conditions of bail to be
  required in any case in which the defendant has been arrested are to
  be regulated by the court, judge, magistrate, or officer taking the
  bail in accordance with Articles 17.20, 17.21, and 17.22 and are
  governed by the Constitution and the following rules:
               1.  Bail and any conditions of bail shall be sufficient
  to give reasonable assurance that the undertaking will be complied
  with.
               2.  The power to require bail is not to be used to make
  bail an instrument of oppression.
               3.  The nature of the offense and the circumstances
  under which the offense was committed are to be considered,
  including whether the offense:
                     (A)  is an offense involving violence, as defined
  by Article 17.03; or
                     (B)  involves violence directed against a peace
  officer.
               4. The minimum amount of bail for an offense involving
  violence, as defined by Article 17.03, that is punishable as a
  felony of the second degree or any higher category of offense is:
                     (A)  $5 million if the offense is a capital
  offense;
                     (B)  $3 million if the offense is a felony of the
  first degree; and
                     (C)  $2 million if the offense is a felony of the
  second degree. 
               5. The ability to make bail shall be considered, and
  proof may be taken on this point.
               6 [5].  The future safety of a victim of the alleged
  offense, law enforcement, and the community shall be considered.
               7 [6].  The criminal history record information for the
  defendant, including information obtained through the statewide
  telecommunications system maintained by the Department of Public
  Safety and through the public safety report system developed under
  Article 17.021, shall be considered, including any acts of family
  violence, other pending criminal charges, and any instances in
  which the defendant failed to appear in court following release on
  bail.
               8 [7].  The citizenship status of the defendant shall
  be considered.
         SECTION 1.04.  Article 17.20(c), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows: 
         (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a sheriff, peace
  officer, or jailer may make a bail decision regarding a defendant
  who is charged only with a misdemeanor punishable by fine only or a
  defendant who receives a citation under Article 14.06(c) without
  considering the factor required by Article 17.15(a)(7)
  [17.15(a)(6)].
         SECTION 1.05.  Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
  amended by this article, applies only to a person who is arrested on
  or after December 1, 2023. A person arrested before December 1,
  2023, 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.
  ARTICLE 2. IMPROPER SETTING OF BAIL; LIABILITY; OFFENSE
         SECTION 2.01.  Title 5, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 108A to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 108A. PUBLIC SERVANT LIABILITY
         Sec. 108A.001.  LIABILITY OF JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE FOR
  IMPROPER SETTING OF BAIL. (a) A victim of an offense that was
  committed while the person was released on bail, or the victim's
  estate if the victim is deceased, may bring a cause of action
  against the judge or magistrate who released the person on bail for
  damages incurred as a result of the offense if:
               (1)  the offense for which the person was released on
  bail is an offense involving violence, as defined by Article 17.03,
  Code of Criminal Procedure, that is punishable as a felony of the
  second degree or any higher category of offense; and
               (2)  the amount of bail set by the judge or magistrate
  was less than the minimum amount required under Article
  17.15(a)(4), Code of Criminal Procedure, for the offense.
         (b)  The amount of damages awarded in an action brought under
  this section may not exceed $10 million.
         (c)  A judge or magistrate may not assert judicial immunity
  or other forms of immunity as a defense to an action brought under
  this section.
         (d)  Section 108.002 does not apply to an action brought
  under this section. 
         SECTION 2.02.  Subchapter C, Chapter 33, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 33.052 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.052.  IMPROPER SETTING OF BAIL OR RELEASE OF CERTAIN
  DEFENDANTS; OFFENSE; REMOVAL. (a) A judge or magistrate commits an
  offense if the judge or magistrate: 
               (1)  sets bail for an offense involving violence, as
  defined by Article 17.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, that is
  punishable as a felony of the second degree or any higher category
  of offense and the amount of the bail set by the judge or magistrate
  is less than the minimum amount required under Article 17.15(a)(4),
  Code of Criminal Procedure, for the offense; or
               (2)  releases on bail a defendant who is charged with
  committing a felony while released on bail for a prior felony in
  violation of Section 11d, Article I, Texas Constitution. 
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under
  this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed
  $4,000.
         (c)  An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
  punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 if it is shown on the
  trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously
  convicted of an offense under this section.
         SECTION 2.03.  Sections 81.078(c) and (d), Government Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (c)  On proof of final conviction of any felony involving
  moral turpitude, an offense punishable under Section 33.052(c), or
  any misdemeanor involving theft, embezzlement, or fraudulent
  misappropriation of money or other property, the district court of
  the county of the residence of the convicted attorney shall enter an
  order disbarring the attorney.
         (d)  In an action to disbar any attorney for acts made the
  basis of a conviction for a felony involving moral turpitude, an
  offense punishable under Section 33.052(c), or a misdemeanor
  involving theft, embezzlement, or fraudulent misappropriation of
  money or other property, the record of conviction is conclusive
  evidence of the guilt of the attorney for the crime of which he was
  convicted.
         SECTION 2.04.  Chapter 108A, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, as added by this article, applies only to a cause of action
  that accrues on or after December 1, 2023.
  ARTICLE 3. INCREASED PENALTIES FOR FELONY COMMITTED WHILE RELEASED
  ON BAIL
         SECTION 3.01.  Article 42.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Section 17 to read as follows:
         Sec. 17.  In addition to the information described by
  Section 1, the judgment must reflect affirmative findings entered
  pursuant to Article 42.0195.
         SECTION 3.02.  Chapter 42, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Article 42.0195 to read as follows:
         Art. 42.0195.  FINDING REGARDING CERTAIN FELONY OFFENSES
  COMMITTED WHILE ON BAIL. In the trial of an offense punishable as a
  felony of the first, second, or third degree, on the motion of the
  attorney representing the state the judge shall make an affirmative
  finding of fact and enter the affirmative finding in the judgment in
  the case if the judge determines that the offense was committed
  while the defendant was released on bail for a prior felony for
  which the defendant has been charged.
         SECTION 3.03.  Article 42A.102(b), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  In all other cases, the judge may grant deferred
  adjudication community supervision unless:
               (1)  the defendant is charged with an offense:
                     (A)  under Section 20A.02, 20A.03, 49.045, 49.05,
  49.065, 49.07, or 49.08, Penal Code;
                     (B)  under Section 49.04 or 49.06, Penal Code,
  and, at the time of the offense:
                           (i)  the defendant held a commercial
  driver's license or a commercial learner's permit; or
                           (ii)  the defendant's alcohol concentration,
  as defined by Section 49.01, Penal Code, was 0.15 or more;
                     (C)  for which punishment may be increased under
  Section 49.09, Penal Code;
                     (D)  for which punishment may be increased under
  Section 481.134(c), (d), (e), or (f), Health and Safety Code, if it
  is shown that the defendant has been previously convicted of an
  offense for which punishment was increased under any one of those
  subsections; [or]
                     (E)  under Section 481.1123, Health and Safety
  Code, that is punishable under Subsection (d), (e), or (f) of that
  section; or
                     (F)  punishable as a felony of the first, second,
  or third degree, if it is shown that the defendant committed the
  offense while the defendant was released on bail for a prior felony
  for which the defendant has been charged;
               (2)  the defendant:
                     (A)  is charged with an offense under Section
  21.11, 22.011, 22.021, 43.04, or 43.05, Penal Code, regardless of
  the age of the victim, or a felony described by Article 42A.453(b),
  other than a felony described by Subdivision (1)(A) or (3)(B) of
  this subsection; and
                     (B)  has previously been placed on community
  supervision for an offense under Paragraph (A);
               (3)  the defendant is charged with an offense under:
                     (A)  Section 21.02, Penal Code; or
                     (B)  Section 22.021, Penal Code, that is
  punishable under Subsection (f) of that section or under Section
  12.42(c)(3) or (4), Penal Code; or
               (4)  the defendant is charged with an offense under
  Section 19.02, Penal Code, except that the judge may grant deferred
  adjudication community supervision on determining that the
  defendant did not cause the death of the deceased, did not intend to
  kill the deceased or another, and did not anticipate that a human
  life would be taken.
         SECTION 3.04.  Subchapter K, Chapter 42A, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended by adding Article 42A.518 to read as follows:
         Art. 42A.518.  COMMUNITY SUPERVISION FOR CERTAIN FELONY
  OFFENSES COMMITTED WHILE ON BAIL. A court granting community
  supervision to a defendant convicted of an offense for which the
  court has made an affirmative finding under Article 42.0195 shall
  require as a term of community supervision that the defendant serve
  a term of imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
  of not less than five years.
         SECTION 3.05.  Section 508.145, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (e-1) to read as follows:
         (e-1)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, an
  inmate serving a sentence for an offense for which the judgment
  contains an affirmative finding under Article 42.0195, Code of
  Criminal Procedure, is not eligible for release on parole until the
  inmate's actual calendar time served, without consideration of good
  conduct time, equals five calendar years, or until the date that the
  inmate would otherwise be eligible for release on parole under
  another provision of this section, whichever is later. This
  subsection does not apply to an inmate who is ineligible for release
  on parole pursuant to another provision of this section.
         SECTION 3.06.  Section 508.147, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (a-1) and Section
  508.149, a parole panel shall order the release of an inmate who is
  not on parole to mandatory supervision when the actual calendar
  time the inmate has served plus any accrued good conduct time equals
  the term to which the inmate was sentenced.
         (a-1)  An inmate serving a sentence for an offense for which
  the judgment contains an affirmative finding under Article 42.0195,
  Code of Criminal Procedure, may not be released to mandatory
  supervision unless:
               (1)  the inmate's actual calendar time served, without
  consideration of good conduct time, equals at least five years; and
               (2)  the inmate is otherwise eligible for release under
  Subsection (a).
         SECTION 3.07.  Subchapter D, Chapter 12, Penal Code, is
  amended by adding Section 12.502 to read as follows:
         Sec. 12.502.  PENALTY FOR CERTAIN FELONY OFFENSES COMMITTED
  WHILE ON BAIL. If an affirmative finding is made under Article
  42.0195, Code of Criminal Procedure, in the trial of an offense, the
  minimum term of imprisonment for the offense is increased to five
  years unless another provision of law applicable to the offense
  provides for a minimum term of imprisonment of five years or more.
         SECTION 3.08.  Chapters 42 and 42A, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, as amended by this article, Sections 508.145 and
  508.147, Government Code, as amended by this article, and Section
  12.502, Penal Code, as added by this article, apply only to an
  offense committed on or after September 1, 2023. An offense
  committed before September 1, 2023, is governed by the law in effect
  on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section,
  an offense was committed before September 1, 2023, if any element of
  the offense occurred before that date.
  ARTICLE 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 4.01.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
  this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
         (b)  Articles 1 and 2 of this Act take effect December 1,
  2023, but only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, authorizing the legislature to
  set a minimum amount of monetary bond for persons charged with
  certain felony offenses involving violence and requiring the denial
  of bail to a person accused of committing a felony while released on
  bail for a prior felony under most circumstances is approved by the
  voters. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, Articles 1
  and 2 of this Act have no effect.
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