H.C.R. No. 140
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Residents of this state have made inquiries about
the process, rules, handling, and processing of recordings and
transcripts of emergency calls made to public safety agencies in
this state; and
WHEREAS, The principle of open and transparent government can
coexist with respect for the privacy of families grieving from the
loss of a loved one; and
WHEREAS, Certain entities have released the recording of an
emergency call that includes the voice of an individual who
subsequently died as a result of the emergency for which the call
was made; and
WHEREAS, The family members of those individuals can be
unnecessarily traumatized by hearing or learning of what are often
the last words of the individual who made the emergency call; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house
of representatives to provide for a joint interim legislative
committee to study the process, rules, handling, and processing of
the disclosure of recordings and transcripts of emergency calls
made by a subsequently deceased individual to a public safety
agency or a public safety answering point, as those terms are
defined by Section 771.001, Health and Safety Code; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including
findings and recommendations, to the 86th Texas Legislature when it
convenes in January 2019.
Hunter
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 140 was adopted by the House on May
24, 2017, by the following vote: 144 yeas, 0 nays, 4 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 140 was adopted by the Senate on May
28, 2017, by the following vote: 31 yeas, 0 nays
.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
RECEIVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Secretary of State