bill telling juries that no-parole means no parole

The text as introduced · 209 words

90R3989 JRR-D

By: Moody
H.B. No. 663

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to jury instructions regarding parole eligibility for

certain felony offenses that are not eligible for parole.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 4, Article 37.07, Code of Criminal

Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (c-1) to read as

follows:

(c-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,

in the penalty phase of the trial of a felony case in which the

punishment is to be assessed by the jury for an offense described by

Section 508.145(a), Government Code, other than an offense

punishable by a sentence of death or life without parole, the court

shall charge the jury in writing as follows:

"Under the law applicable in this case, if the defendant is

sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the length of time for which a

defendant is imprisoned may not be reduced by the award of parole."

SECTION 2. Section 4(c-1), Article 37.07, Code of Criminal

Procedure, as added by this Act, applies to a defendant sentenced

for an offense on or after the effective date of this Act,

regardless of when the offense was committed.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.