(b) The duty of the victim assistance coordinator is to ensure that a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim is afforded the rights granted victims, guardians, and relatives by Articles 56.02 and 56.021. The victim assistance coordinator shall work closely with appropriate law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the judiciary in carrying out that duty.

(c) Each local law enforcement agency shall designate one person to serve as the agency's crime victim liaison. Each agency shall consult with the victim assistance coordinator in the office of the attorney representing the state to determine the most effective manner in which the crime victim liaison can perform the duties imposed on the crime victim liaison under this article.

(d) The duty of the crime victim liaison is to ensure that a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim is afforded the rights granted victims, guardians, or close relatives of deceased victims by Subdivisions (4), (6), and (9) of Article 56.02(a) of this code.

(d-1) The victim services division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, in consultation with the Board of Pardons and Paroles, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors' offices, and other participants in the criminal justice system, shall develop recommendations to ensure that completed victim impact statements are submitted to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as provided by this chapter.

(e) On inquiry by the court, the attorney representing the state shall make available a copy of a victim impact statement for consideration by the court sentencing the defendant. If the court sentences the defendant to imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the court shall attach the copy of the victim impact statement to the commitment papers.

(f) The commissioners court may approve a program in which the crime victim liaison or victim assistance coordinator may offer not more than 10 hours of post-investigation or posttrial psychological counseling for a person who serves as a grand juror, alternate grand juror, juror, or alternate juror in a grand jury investigation or criminal trial involving graphic evidence or testimony and who requests the post-investigation or posttrial psychological counseling not later than the 180th day after the date on which the grand jury or jury is dismissed. The crime victim liaison or victim assistance coordinator may provide the counseling using a provider that assists local criminal justice agencies in providing similar services to victims.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 588, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 996, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Subsec. (a) amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 202, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1378 (S.B. 560), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 1969), Sec. 25.039, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 93 (H.B. 608), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1154 (S.B. 213), Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1345 (S.B. 1192), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1160 (S.B. 1264), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Text of article effective until January 01, 2021