S.B. No. 47
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study on the availability of information regarding
  convictions and deferred dispositions for certain misdemeanors
  punishable by fine only.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a)  The Office of Court Administration of the
  Texas Judicial System shall conduct a study on how records
  regarding misdemeanors punishable by fine only, other than traffic
  offenses, are held in different Texas counties.
         (b)  The study must address, with respect to each county:
               (1)  the public availability of conviction records for
  misdemeanors punishable by fine only;
               (2)  the public availability of records relating to
  suspension of sentence and deferral of final disposition under
  Article 45.051, Code of Criminal Procedure, for misdemeanors
  punishable by fine only;
               (3)  the public availability of records described by
  Subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection that are related to a
  child younger than 18 years of age;
               (4)  whether public access to and availability of
  records described by Subdivisions (1)-(3) of this subsection have
  been expanded or restricted by the county over time;
               (5)  whether local agencies holding records described
  by Subdivisions (1)-(3) of this subsection destroy those records;
               (6)  the reasons and criteria for any destruction of
  records described by Subdivisions (1)-(3) of this subsection; and
               (7)  the retention schedule of each local agency
  holding records described by Subdivisions (1)-(3) of this
  subsection, if the agency routinely destroys those records.
         (c)  Not later than January 1, 2019, the Office of Court
  Administration shall issue a report on the study required under
  this section to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
  representatives, and the appropriate standing committees of the
  house of representatives and the senate.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2019.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 47 passed the Senate on
  May 2, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 23, Nays 8.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 47 passed the House on
  May 21, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 91, Nays 50, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor