TITLE: Relating to public access to hearings or other proceedings for setting bail.

SUMMARY: Relating to public access to hearings or other proceedings for setting bail.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to public access to hearings or other proceedings for setting bail. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 17.50 to read as follows: Art. 17.50. PROCEEDING OPEN TO PUBLIC. (a) Any hearing or other proceeding at which a magistrate sets the amount of bail for a defendant, including a proceeding under this chapter or Article 15.17, must be open to the public. (b) A magistrate may satisfy the requirements of this article by ordering that the proceeding be broadcast by closed circuit equipment to a location that is reasonably close to the proceeding. (c) A broadcast made under Subsection (b) must be recorded by the magistrate and the recording maintained for a period of not less than one year. SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a hearing or proceeding that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.