86R10785 MEW-D
 
  By: Dutton H.B. No. 1955
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the eligibility of certain defendants for release on
  personal bond.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 17.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-2) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), [or] (b-1), or
  (b-2), a magistrate may, in the magistrate's discretion, release
  the defendant on personal bond without sureties or other security.
         (b-2)  Notwithstanding any other law, a magistrate shall
  release on personal bond a defendant who is charged with a
  misdemeanor unless the magistrate makes an affirmative finding of
  fact and files a statement of that affirmative finding with the
  papers in the case that extenuating circumstances justify not
  releasing the defendant on personal bond.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a personal bond that is executed on or after the effective date
  of this Act. A personal bond executed before the effective date of
  this Act is governed by the law in effect when the personal bond was
  executed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.