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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a prohibition on certain law enforcement inquiries |
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regarding the nationality or immigration status of a victim of or |
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witness to a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 2.13, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) A peace officer may not inquire as to the nationality or |
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immigration status of a victim of or witness to a criminal offense |
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except as necessary to investigate the offense or to provide the |
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victim or witness with information about federal visas designed to |
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protect individuals providing assistance to law enforcement. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |