Texas Government Code 493.0251 – Victim Notification of Subsequent Felony
(a) In this section, “victim,” “guardian of a victim,” and “close relative of a deceased victim” have the meanings assigned by § 508.117.
Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2025
(b) If the department receives a notification under Article 2.023, Code of Criminal Procedure, regarding the indictment of a defendant described by that article, the department shall, to the extent requested under Subsection (c), make a reasonable effort to provide notice of the offense charged in the indictment to each victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim of an offense described by Article 2.023(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, for which the defendant was previously imprisoned at a facility operated by or under contract with the department and subsequently released.
Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2025
Terms Used In Texas Government Code 493.0251
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(b) If the department receives a notification under Article 2A.110, Code of Criminal Procedure, regarding the indictment of a defendant described by that article, the department shall, to the extent requested under Subsection (c), make a reasonable effort to provide notice of the offense charged in the indictment to each victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim of an offense described by Article 2A.110(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, for which the defendant was previously imprisoned at a facility operated by or under contract with the department and subsequently released.
(c) The department shall adopt a procedure by which a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim may:
(1) request to receive notice under this section; and
(2) inform the department of the person‘s address for purposes of providing the notice.
(d) Except as necessary to comply with this section, the board or the department may not disclose to any person the name or address of a person entitled to notice under this section unless:
(1) the person approves the disclosure; or
(2) a court determines that there is good cause for the disclosure and orders the board or the department to disclose the information.