88R10185 TSS-D
 
  By: Dutton H.B. No. 2527
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the duty of an attorney representing the state to
  disclose certain information regarding a defendant convicted of an
  offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 39.14, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (k-1) to read as follows:
         (k-1)  In addition to any disclosure required under
  Subsections (h) and (k), an attorney representing the state who
  develops probable cause to believe that a convicted defendant did
  not commit the offense for which the defendant was convicted based
  on credible information discovered by the attorney after the
  conviction shall: 
               (1)  if the defendant was convicted of an offense in the
  attorney's jurisdiction:
                     (A)  disclose the information to the defendant,
  any attorney representing the defendant, and the court in which the
  defendant was convicted; 
                     (B)  for a defendant not represented by an
  attorney, submit a motion to the court in which the defendant was
  convicted requesting a hearing to determine whether the defendant
  is eligible for appointed counsel under Article 1.051(d); and
                     (C)  provide to the attorney representing the
  defendant any additional information known by the attorney
  representing the state that may be relevant to an appellate
  proceeding for the defendant; or
               (2)  if the defendant was convicted of an offense in a
  jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction of the attorney
  representing the state who develops the probable cause, promptly
  disclose the information to an attorney representing the state in
  that jurisdiction.
         SECTION 2.  Section 81.024, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  If the supreme court adopts the Texas Disciplinary Rules
  of Professional Conduct under Subsection (b), the rules must
  provide that a violation of Article 39.14(k-1), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, if committed in bad faith, is a violation of the Texas
  Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. An attorney who
  violates that rule is subject to discipline under Subchapter E. 
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Supreme Court shall adopt rules as required
  by Section 81.024(c), Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.