Texas Senate Bill SB2216

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the reimbursement to a county for the costs of confining a person arrested under an out-of-county warrant.

Impact

This legislation intends to streamline the financial liabilities associated with inter-county prisoner transfers and arrests. By enforcing that the arresting county bills the issuing county for the expenses associated with a person's confinement, the bill aims to eliminate confusion and potential disputes over payment responsibilities. The changes would apply only to arrests occurring after the effective date of the Act, meaning those arrested prior will continue under the previous guidelines, which could lead to varying enforcement based on the timing of the arrest.

Summary

Senate Bill 2216 relates to the reimbursement responsibilities of counties regarding the costs incurred from confining individuals arrested under out-of-county warrants. Specifically, the bill modifies Article 104.002 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to clarify that counties will be responsible for the costs associated with the safekeeping of prisoners, particularly those arrested under warrants issued by other counties. The intention is to ensure that the financial burden falls on the county that issued the warrant, rather than on the county where the arrest occurs.

Contention

While the bill appears straightforward, it may raise concerns regarding the implementation and administrative processes required to enforce these reimbursement provisions effectively. Some might argue that the logistical requirements of submitting expense accounts and obtaining approval from county judges and commissioners courts could burden administrative staff. Additionally, the legislation might provoke discussions about equitable treatment of defendants across different jurisdictions, particularly in terms of how quickly and efficiently expenses are handled and reimbursed.