With millions of Texans, including waves of new immigrants, who have difficulty communicating in English, the Texas Legislature has approved a measure to protect their U.S. constitutional rights when facing a criminal accusation.

The legislation, House Bill 2090 by Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, and Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, received final approval from the Legislature on Sunday, May 26, and was sent to Gov. Rick Perry for his approval. The legislation would take effect September 1, 2013.

According to the bill analysis of the legislation:

• The Code of Criminal Procedure, art. 38.22, sec. 1 requires that a written statement made by the accused be made in his or her own handwriting or, if the accused is unable to write, that a statement bear the mark of the accused and that the mark be witnessed by someone other than a peace officer;

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