Bill Text: TX SB1125 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to the use of video teleconferencing for testimony of a forensic analyst in a criminal proceeding.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-3)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-14 - Effective on 9/1/19 [SB1125 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB1125-Enrolled.html
 
 
  S.B. No. 1125
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of video teleconferencing for testimony of a
  forensic analyst in a criminal proceeding.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Article 38.076 to read as follows:
         Art. 38.076.  TESTIMONY OF FORENSIC ANALYST BY VIDEO
  TELECONFERENCE. (a)  In this article, "forensic analyst" has the
  meaning assigned by Section 4-a, Article 38.01. 
         (b)  In a proceeding in the prosecution of a criminal offense
  in which a forensic analyst is required to testify as a witness, any
  testimony of the witness may be conducted by video teleconferencing
  in the manner described by Subsection (c) if: 
               (1)  the use of video teleconferencing is approved by
  the court and all parties;
               (2)  the video teleconferencing is coordinated in
  advance to ensure proper scheduling and equipment compatibility and
  reliability; and
               (3)  a method of electronically transmitting documents
  related to the proceeding is available at both the location at which
  the witness is testifying and in the court.
         (c)  A video teleconferencing system used under this article
  must provide an encrypted, simultaneous, compressed full motion
  video and interactive communication of image and sound between the
  judge, the attorney representing the state, the attorney
  representing the defendant, and the witness.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1125 passed the Senate on
  April 29, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1125 passed the House on
  May 22, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 5, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor
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