H.B. No. 1442 AN ACT relating to the release of certain defendants pending a motion for new trial or an appeal from a misdemeanor conviction. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article 44.04, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: (i) Notwithstanding any other law, pending the determination of a defendant's motion for new trial or the defendant's appeal from a misdemeanor conviction, the defendant is entitled to be released after completion of a sentence of confinement imposed for the conviction. The trial court may require the defendant to give a personal bond but may not, either instead of or in addition to the personal bond, require: (1) any condition of the personal bond; (2) another type of bail bond; or (3) a surety or other security. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1442 was passed by the House on May 2, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1442 was passed by the Senate on May 19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor