Bill: HB 899, 83(R) - 2013

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive

Author(s)

Charles Perry

Bill Caption

Relating to certain rights of victims, guardians of victims, and close relatives of deceased victims in the criminal justice system.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal impact is anticipated on the State or local governments.

Bill Analysis

Summary: Current law entitles a victim, guardian of a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim rights regarding prosecution proceedings. HB 899 would grant the aforementioned persons the right to not be contacted by victim outreach specialist retained by the defendant's attorney, designate a victims service provider to receive communication from victim outreach specialists, and use the state attorney to notify the defendant's attorney of a decision based on the two previously mentioned rights.

Analysis: Most of the cases in which the defense hires a victim outreach coordinator occurs in the death penalty cases. HB 899 requires the victim outreach coordinator to go through the prosecutor. This legislation may help prevent victims from unwanted outreach by representatives of the defendant's attorney. We support HB 899.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 07:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/83r/hb899?print_view=true