Tex. Code of Crim. Proc. Article 56A.151
Victim Impact Statement; Information Booklet


(a)

The clearinghouse, with the participation of the board and the community justice assistance division of the department, shall develop a form to be used by law enforcement agencies, attorneys representing the state, and other participants in the criminal justice system to record the impact of an offense on a victim of the offense, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim and to provide the agencies, attorneys, and participants with information needed to contact the victim, guardian, or relative if needed at any stage of a prosecution of a person charged with the offense. The clearinghouse, with the participation of the board and the community justice assistance division of the department, shall also develop a victims’ information booklet that provides a general explanation of the criminal justice system to victims of an offense, guardians of victims, and relatives of deceased victims.

(b)

The victim impact statement must be in a form designed to:

(1)

inform a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim with a clear statement of rights granted by Subchapter B; and

(2)

collect the following information:

(A)

the name of the victim of the offense or, if the victim has a legal guardian or is deceased, the name of a guardian or close relative of the victim;

(B)

the address and telephone number of the victim, guardian, or relative through which the victim, guardian, or relative may be contacted;

(C)

a statement of economic loss suffered by the victim, guardian, or relative as a result of the offense;

(D)

a statement of any physical or psychological injury suffered by the victim, guardian, or relative as a result of the offense, as described by the victim, guardian, or relative or by a physician or counselor;

(E)

a statement of any psychological services requested as a result of the offense;

(F)

a statement of any change in the victim’s, guardian’s, or relative’s personal welfare or familial relationship as a result of the offense;

(G)

a statement regarding whether the victim, guardian, or relative wants to be notified of any parole hearing for the defendant;

(H)

if the victim is a child, whether there is an existing court order granting to the defendant possession of or access to the victim; and

(I)

any other information related to the impact of the offense on the victim, guardian, or relative, other than facts related to the commission of the offense.

(c)

The victim impact statement must include an explanation regarding the procedures by which a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim may obtain information concerning the release of the defendant from the department.

(d)

Not later than December 1 of each odd-numbered year, the clearinghouse, with the participation of the board and the community justice assistance division of the department, shall update the victim impact statement form and any other information provided by the community justice assistance division to victims, guardians of victims, and relatives of deceased victims, if necessary, to reflect changes in law relating to criminal justice and the rights of victims and guardians and relatives of victims.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 469 (H.B. 4173), Sec. 1.05, eff. January 1, 2021.

Source: Article 56A.151 — Victim Impact Statement; Information Booklet, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.­56A.­htm#56A.­151 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

56A.001
Definitions
56A.051
General Rights
56A.052
Additional Rights of Victims of Sexual Assault, Indecent Assault, Stalking, or Trafficking
56A.053
Failure to Provide Right or Service
56A.054
Standing
56A.101
Victim Privacy
56A.102
Victim or Witness Discovery Attendance
56A.151
Victim Impact Statement
56A.152
Recommendations to Ensure Submission of Statement
56A.153
Notification to Court Regarding Release of Defendant with Access to Child Victim
56A.154
Change of Address
56A.155
Discovery of Statement
56A.156
Inspection of Statement by Court
56A.157
Consideration of Statement by Court
56A.158
Defendant Response to Statement
56A.159
Transfer of Statement After Sentencing
56A.160
Survey Plan Regarding Statements
56A.201
Designation of Victim Assistance Coordinator
56A.202
Duties of Victim Assistance Coordinator
56A.203
Designation of Crime Victim Liaison
56A.204
Duties of Crime Victim Liaison
56A.205
Psychological Counseling for Certain Jurors
56A.301
Definitions
56A.302
Applicability
56A.304
Payment of Fees Related to Examination
56A.305
Payment of Costs for Certain Medical Care
56A.306
Procedures for Transfer and Preservation of Evidence
56A.307
Procedures for Submission or Collection of Additional Evidence
56A.308
Confidentiality of Certain Records
56A.309
Rules
56A.351
Presence of Sexual Assault Program Advocate
56A.352
Representative Provided by Penal Institution
56A.401
Notification of Rights
56A.403
Duties of Peace Officers Regarding Victims of Sexual Assault
56A.451
Notification of Rights
56A.452
Notification of Scheduled Court Proceedings
56A.453
Notification of Plea Bargain Agreement
56A.454
Victim Contact Information
56A.501
Definitions
56A.502
Applicability
56A.503
Notification of Release or Escape
56A.504
Notification Regarding Defendant Subject to Electronic Monitoring
56A.505
Notification of Right to Notice
56A.506
Victim or Witness Contact Information
56A.507
Time for Notice
56A.0525
Authorized Form of Notifications
56A.0531
Assertion of Rights
56A.551
Definition
56A.552
Notification of Victim
56A.553
Notification of Witness
56A.554
Request for Notification
56A.555
Notice of Transfer from or Return to Custody
56A.601
Database for Defendant Release Information
56A.602
Victim-offender Mediation
56A.603
Clearinghouse Annual Conference
56A.604
Crime Victim Assistance Standards
56A.3045
Payment of Costs Related to Testimony
56A.3515
Presence of Sexual Assault Program Advocate or Other Victim’s Representative During Law Enforcement Interview

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

Art. 56A.151’s source at texas​.gov