Texas House Bill HB2901

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to reporting requirements for certain in-custody deaths; providing a civil penalty.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2901 introduces civil penalties for individuals who neglect to file the mandated reports or fail to provide complete information. If a person does not submit a report within eight days of receiving notification of their failure to do so, they will incur a civil penalty of $1,000 for each additional day they remain non-compliant. Should the individual have a history of previous violations within the past five years, the penalty could escalate to $10,000 for the first day of non-compliance, followed by $1,000 for each subsequent day. This regulatory change aims to instill a greater sense of responsibility among law enforcement officials concerning reporting standards for in-custody deaths.

Summary

House Bill 2901 focuses on enhancing the reporting requirements for in-custody deaths. Specifically, it mandates that the office of the attorney general conduct investigations when a failure to submit required reports on these deaths is reported. The bill establishes a framework for accountability and ensures that the necessary details regarding such deaths are documented, which could serve to improve transparency and oversight in law enforcement practices. Overall, the intent is to create a mechanism for monitoring compliance with reporting obligations connected to in-custody deaths.

Contention

There are potential points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding its implications for law enforcement operations and accountability. While proponents argue that stricter reporting requirements will promote justice and transparency, opponents may view the civil penalties as overly punitive or as added factors that could complicate law enforcement procedures. Furthermore, concerns may arise regarding the collection process for these civil penalties, particularly whether the attorney general's office has adequate resources to effectively carry out the required investigations and follow through with penalties.