texas

Texas House OKs Counseling Grand Jury in Upsetting Cases

The Texas House has approved offering up to 10 hours of psychological counseling for members of grand juries who are exposed to graphic or upsetting testimony, images and other materials as part of cases they are empaneled to hear.

Lawmakers approved the bill by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, a former prosecutor, using a simple voice vote Saturday.

Final House approval should come Sunday. Huffman's proposal has already cleared the Senate and has enjoyed bipartisan support.

The counseling would be offered by counties across Texas where the affected grand jury is based. The proposal is not expected to cost the state any public funding.

Trial jurors in Texas already are eligible to receive such counseling to cope with graphic evidence or testimony they hear during cases.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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