By: Jetton, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Kolkhorst) H.B. No. 1938
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 3, 2021;
May 10, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on
Jurisprudence; May 21, 2021, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 21, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a grant program for law enforcement agencies to defray
the cost of data storage for recordings created with body worn
cameras.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter N, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1701.6521 to read as follows:
Sec. 1701.6521. GRANTS FOR BODY WORN CAMERA DATA STORAGE.
(a) A law enforcement agency in this state that provides body worn
cameras to its peace officers may apply to the office of the
governor for a grant to defray the cost of data storage for
recordings created with the body worn cameras.
(b) The grant program established by this section may be
funded by federal funds or by gifts, grants, and donations.
SECTION 2. Sections 1701.658(a), (b), and (c), Occupations
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) If a law enforcement agency receives a grant under
Section 1701.652 [this subchapter], a peace officer who is employed
by the agency and who is on duty may only use a body worn camera that
is issued and maintained by that agency.
(b) Notwithstanding any previous policies, an agency may
not allow its peace officers to use privately owned body worn
cameras after receiving a grant described by this section [under
this subchapter].
(c) A peace officer who is employed by a law enforcement
agency that has not received a grant described by this section or
who has not otherwise been provided with a body worn camera by the
agency that employs the officer may operate a body worn camera that
is privately owned only if permitted by the employing agency.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
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