81R9276 KLA-D
By: Frost H.B. No. 3154
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain policies for bailiffs and the appointment of or
request for bailiffs for certain courts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 53, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter A-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A-1. GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING BAILIFFS
Sec. 53.011. APPOINTMENT OF OR REQUEST FOR BAILIFF FOR
CERTAIN COURTS. (a) This section applies only to a district court,
statutory county court, and county court, and only to the extent the
section does not conflict with a specific provision applicable to
that court that authorizes or restricts the court's authority with
respect to appointing a bailiff.
(b) The judge of a district court, statutory county court,
or county court may appoint a bailiff to:
(1) serve as a courtroom security officer;
(2) attend to the needs of a jury sitting for a civil
or criminal case; and
(3) act under the judge's direction in all courtroom
proceedings.
(c) Instead of appointing a bailiff under Subsection (b),
the judge of a district court, statutory county court, or county
court may request the county sheriff to provide a bailiff. On
receipt of the request, the sheriff shall provide a deputy sheriff,
peace officer, or any other person the sheriff considers qualified
to serve as bailiff for the court.
Sec. 53.012. USE OF FORCE POLICIES FOR BAILIFFS. (a) Each
county sheriff shall establish policies regarding the use of force
by a bailiff for any court in the county.
(b) A person acting as bailiff shall comply with the
policies established under Subsection (a) for that county.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.