87R1083 SCL/AJZ-F
By: Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 88
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to interactions between law enforcement and individuals
detained or arrested on suspicion of the commission of criminal
offenses, witnesses to the commission of those offenses, and other
members of the public, to peace officer liability for those
interactions, and to the confinement, conviction, or release of
detained or arrested individuals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the George Floyd Act.
SECTION 2. Title 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 135 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 135. PEACE OFFICER LIABILITY FOR DEPRIVATION OF CERTAIN
RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR IMMUNITIES
Sec. 135.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by
Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) "Public entity" means:
(A) this state;
(B) a political subdivision of this state,
including a municipality or county; and
(C) any other governmental agency whose
authority is derived from the laws or constitution of this state.
Sec. 135.0002. PEACE OFFICER LIABILITY FOR DEPRIVATION OF
RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR IMMUNITIES UNDER COLOR OF LAW. (a) A person
may bring an action for any appropriate relief, including legal or
equitable relief, against a peace officer who, under the color of
law, deprived the person of or caused the person to be deprived of a
right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Texas Constitution.
(b) A person must bring an action under this chapter not
later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues.
Sec. 135.0003. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW; PROHIBITED
DEFENSES. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a statutory immunity
or limitation on liability, damages, or attorney's fees does not
apply to an action brought under this chapter.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, qualified immunity or a
defendant's good faith but erroneous belief in the lawfulness of
the defendant's conduct is not a defense to an action brought under
this chapter.
Sec. 135.0004. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS. (a) In an action
brought under this chapter, a court shall award reasonable
attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff.
(b) In an action brought under this chapter, if a judgment
is entered in favor of a defendant, the court may award reasonable
attorney's fees and costs to the defendant only for defending
claims the court finds frivolous.
Sec. 135.0005. INDEMNIFICATION REQUIRED; EXCEPTION. (a)
Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by Subsection
(b), a public entity shall indemnify a peace officer employed by the
entity for liability incurred by and a judgment imposed against the
officer in an action brought under this chapter.
(b) A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace
officer employed by the entity under Subsection (a) if the officer
was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct that is the
basis for the action brought under this chapter.
SECTION 3. Article 2.13(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The officer [shall]:
(1) may, if authorized [in every case authorized by
the provisions of this Code], interfere without warrant to prevent
or suppress crime;
(2) shall execute all lawful process issued to the
officer by any magistrate or court;
(3) shall give notice to some magistrate of all
offenses committed within the officer's jurisdiction, if [where]
the officer has probable cause [good reason] to believe there has
been a violation of the penal law; [and]
(4) may, if authorized, arrest offenders without
warrant so [in every case where the officer is authorized by law, in
order] that they may be taken before the proper magistrate or court
and be tried;
(5) shall make an identification as a peace officer
before taking any action within the course and scope of the
officer's official duties unless the identification would render
the action impracticable;
(6) shall intervene if the use of force by another
peace officer:
(A) violates state or federal law or a policy of
any entity served by the other officer;
(B) puts any person at risk of bodily injury,
unless the officer reasonably believes that the other officer's use
of force is immediately necessary to avoid imminent harm to a peace
officer or other person; or
(C) is not required to apprehend or complete the
apprehension of a suspect; and
(7) shall provide aid immediately to any person who
needs medical attention, including a person who needs medical
attention as a result of the use of force by a peace officer.
SECTION 4. Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Articles 2.1309 and 2.33 to read as follows:
Art. 2.1309. CITE AND RELEASE POLICY. (a) In this article,
"law enforcement agency" means an agency of the state or an agency
of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ
peace officers.
(b) Texas Southern University, in consultation with law
enforcement agencies, law enforcement associations, law
enforcement training experts, and community organizations engaged
in the development of law enforcement policy, shall publish a
written model policy regarding the issuance of citations for
misdemeanor offenses, including traffic offenses, that are
punishable by fine only. The policy must provide a procedure for a
peace officer, on a person's presentation of appropriate
identification, to verify the person's identity and issue a
citation to the person. The policy must comply with Articles 14.01,
14.03, and 14.06 of this code and Sections 543.001 and 543.004,
Transportation Code.
(c) Each law enforcement agency shall adopt a written policy
regarding the issuance of citations for misdemeanor offenses,
including traffic offenses, that are punishable by fine only. The
policy must meet the requirements for the model policy described by
Subsection (b). A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy
published by Texas Southern University under Subsection (b).
Art. 2.33. LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY ON DE-ESCALATION AND
PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE. (a) In this article, "law enforcement
agency" means an agency of the state or an agency of a political
subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ peace
officers.
(b) Each law enforcement agency shall adopt a detailed
written policy regarding the use of force by peace officers. The
policy must:
(1) emphasize conflict de-escalation and the use of
force in a manner proportionate to the threat posed and to the
seriousness of the alleged offense;
(2) mandate that deadly force is only to be used by
peace officers as a last resort; and
(3) affirm the sanctity of human life and the
importance of treating all persons with dignity and respect.
(c) A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy
developed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under Section
1701.165, Occupations Code, or may adopt its own policy.
SECTION 5. Article 14.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (b), a peace officer
or any other person may not, without a warrant, arrest an offender
for a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, other than an offense
under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Section 49.02,
Penal Code.
SECTION 6. Article 14.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
(h) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), (d), or (g), a peace
officer may not, without a warrant, arrest a person who only commits
one or more offenses punishable by fine only, other than an offense
under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Section 49.02,
Penal Code.
SECTION 7. Article 14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
read as follows:
(b) A peace officer who is charging a person, including a
child, with committing an offense that is a [Class C] misdemeanor
punishable by fine only, other than an offense under Section 49.02,
Penal Code, shall [may], instead of taking the person before a
magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains:
(1) written notice of the time and place the person
must appear before a magistrate;
(2) the name and address of the person charged;
(3) the offense charged;
(4) information regarding the alternatives to the full
payment of any fine or costs assessed against the person, if the
person is convicted of the offense and is unable to pay that amount;
and
(5) the following admonishment, in boldfaced or
underlined type or in capital letters:
"If you are convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving
violence where you are or were a spouse, intimate partner, parent,
or guardian of the victim or are or were involved in another,
similar relationship with the victim, it may be unlawful for you to
possess or purchase a firearm, including a handgun or long gun, or
ammunition, pursuant to federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section
922(g)(9) or Section 46.04(b), Texas Penal Code. If you have any
questions whether these laws make it illegal for you to possess or
purchase a firearm, you should consult an attorney."
(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a peace officer who
is charging a person, including a child, with committing an offense
that is a misdemeanor under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code,
punishable by fine only may, instead of taking the person before a
magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains all of the
information required for a citation issued under Subsection (b).
SECTION 8. Article 38.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
Art. 38.141. CORROBORATION REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN TESTIMONY
RELATING TO COVERT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY [OF UNDERCOVER PEACE
OFFICER OR SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR]. (a) A defendant may not be
convicted of an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code,
on the testimony of a person who is [not a licensed peace officer or
a special investigator but who is] acting covertly on behalf of a
law enforcement agency or under the color of law enforcement unless
the testimony is corroborated by other evidence tending to connect
the defendant with the offense committed.
(b) Corroboration is not sufficient for the purposes of this
article if the corroboration only shows the commission of the
offense.
[(c) In this article, "peace officer" means a person listed
in Article 2.12, and "special investigator" means a person listed
in Article 2.122.]
SECTION 9. Subchapter B, Chapter 142, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 142.0605 to read as follows:
Sec. 142.0605. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a) A
public employer shall implement a progressive disciplinary matrix,
as described by Section 143.0511, for municipal police officers if
the municipality has not adopted Chapter 143.
(b) The public employer shall adopt rules necessary to
implement the progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 10. Section 142.067, Local Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 142.067. AGREEMENT SUPERSEDES CONFLICTING PROVISIONS.
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a [A] written meet and
confer agreement ratified under this subchapter preempts, during
the term of the agreement and to the extent of any conflict, all
contrary state statutes, local ordinances, executive orders, civil
service provisions, or rules adopted by the head of the law
enforcement agency or municipality or by a division or agent of the
municipality, such as a personnel board or a civil service
commission.
(b) An agreement under this subchapter:
(1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
matrix established under Section 142.0605 or 143.0511; and
(2) may not conflict with and does not supersede a
statute, ordinance, order, civil service provision, or rule
concerning the disciplinary actions that may be imposed on a police
officer under the progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 11. Section 143.003, Local Government Code, is
amended by adding Subdivision (6) to read as follows:
(6) "Progressive disciplinary matrix" means a formal
schedule for disciplinary actions that may be taken against a
police officer as described by Section 143.0511.
SECTION 12. Section 143.008, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to
read as follows:
(c) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe cause
for removal or suspension of a fire fighter [or police officer]. The
rules must comply with the grounds for removal prescribed by
Section 143.051.
(c-1) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe the
disciplinary actions that may be taken against a police officer
under a progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 13. Subchapter D, Chapter 143, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 143.0511 to read as follows:
Sec. 143.0511. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a) The
commission shall implement a progressive disciplinary matrix for
infractions committed by police officers that consists of a range
of progressive disciplinary actions applied in a standardized way
based on the nature of the infraction and the officer's prior
conduct record, including removal, suspension, change of duty or
assignment, demotion, deduction of points from a promotional
examination grade, retraining, a written warning, or a written
reprimand.
(b) The progressive disciplinary matrix must include:
(1) standards for disciplinary actions relating to the
use of force against another person, including the failure to
de-escalate force incidents in accordance with departmental
policy;
(2) standards for evaluating the level of discipline
appropriate for uncommon infractions; and
(3) presumptive actions to be taken for each type of
infraction and any adjustment to be made based on a police officer's
previous disciplinary record.
SECTION 14. Section 143.057, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
read as follows:
(a) In addition to the other notice requirements prescribed
by this chapter, the written notice for a promotional bypass or the
letter of disciplinary action, as applicable, issued to a fire
fighter or police officer must state that in an appeal of an
indefinite suspension, a suspension, a promotional bypass, [or] a
recommended demotion, or, if issued to a police officer, any other
disciplinary sanction, the appealing fire fighter or police officer
may elect to appeal to an independent third party hearing examiner
instead of to the commission. The letter must also state that if the
fire fighter or police officer elects to appeal to a hearing
examiner, the person waives all rights to appeal to a district court
except as provided by Subsection (j).
(b-1) A hearing examiner must presume a disciplinary action
applied to a police officer under a progressive disciplinary matrix
is reasonable unless the facts indicate that the department
inappropriately applied a category of offense to the particular
violation.
SECTION 15. Section 143.307, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection
(d) to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] agreement
under this subchapter supersedes a previous statute concerning
wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours of work, or other terms and
conditions of employment to the extent of any conflict with the
statute.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] agreement
under this subchapter preempts any contrary statute, executive
order, local ordinance, or rule adopted by the state or a political
subdivision or agent of the state, including a personnel board, a
civil service commission, or a home-rule municipality.
(d) An agreement under this subchapter affecting police
officers:
(1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
matrix established under Section 143.0511; and
(2) may not conflict with and does not supersede a
statute, order, ordinance, or rule concerning the disciplinary
actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the
progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 16. Section 143.361, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection
(d) to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] written
agreement ratified under this subchapter between a public employer
and the bargaining agent supersedes a previous statute concerning
wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours of work, and other terms of
employment other than pension benefits to the extent of any
conflict with the previous statute.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] written
agreement ratified under this subchapter preempts all contrary
local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules adopted
by the state or a political subdivision or agent of the state, such
as a personnel board, a civil service commission, or a home-rule
municipality.
(d) An agreement under this subchapter affecting police
officers:
(1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
matrix established under Section 143.0511; and
(2) may not conflict with and does not supersede an
ordinance, order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary
actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the
progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 17. Section 174.005, Local Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 174.005. PREEMPTION OF OTHER LAW. (a) Except as
provided by Subsection (b), this [This] chapter preempts all
contrary local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules
adopted by the state or by a political subdivision or agent of the
state, including a personnel board, civil service commission, or
home-rule municipality.
(b) This chapter does not authorize the adoption or
implementation of an agreement that conflicts with an ordinance,
order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary actions that
may be imposed on municipal police officers under a progressive
disciplinary matrix implemented by the municipal public employer.
SECTION 18. Subchapter B, Chapter 174, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 174.024 to read as follows:
Sec. 174.024. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX FOR CERTAIN
POLICE OFFICERS. (a) A municipal public employer shall implement a
progressive disciplinary matrix, as described by Section 143.0511,
for municipal police officers if the municipality has not adopted
Chapter 143.
(b) The municipal public employer shall adopt rules
necessary to implement the progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 19. Subchapter D, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code,
is amended by adding Section 1701.165 to read as follows:
Sec. 1701.165. MODEL POLICY ON USE OF FORCE. (a) The
commission shall develop and make available to all law enforcement
agencies in this state a model policy and associated training
materials regarding the use of force by peace officers. The model
policy must:
(1) be designed to minimize the number and severity of
incidents in which peace officers use force; and
(2) be consistent with the requirements of Article
2.33(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, and the guiding principles on
the use of force issued by the Police Executive Research Forum.
(b) In developing a model policy under this section, the
commission shall consult with:
(1) law enforcement agencies and organizations,
including the Police Executive Research Forum and other national
experts on police management and training; and
(2) community organizations.
(c) On request of a law enforcement agency, the commission
shall provide the agency with training regarding the policy
developed under Subsection (a).
SECTION 20. Sections 9.51(a), (b), (c), and (d), Penal
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) A peace officer, or a person acting in a peace officer's
presence and at the officer's [his] direction, is justified in
using nonlethal force against another when and to the degree [the
actor reasonably believes] the force is immediately necessary to
make or assist in making an arrest or search, or to prevent or
assist in preventing escape after arrest, if:
(1) the actor reasonably believes the arrest or search
is lawful or, if the arrest or search is made under a warrant, the
actor [he] reasonably believes the warrant is valid; [and]
(2) before using force, the actor:
(A) manifests the actor's [his] purpose to arrest
or search and identifies the actor [himself] as a peace officer or
as a person [one] acting at a peace officer's direction, unless the
actor [he] reasonably believes the actor's [his] purpose and
identity are already known by or cannot reasonably be made known to
the person for whom the arrest or search is authorized;
(B) attempts to de-escalate the situation; and
(C) issues a warning that force will be used;
(3) the force used is proportionate to the threat
posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense;
(4) the actor immediately terminates the use of force
the moment the person against whom force is used becomes compliant
or is subdued; and
(5) the use of force does not present a serious risk of
injury to any person other than the actor or the person against whom
the force is used [to be arrested].
(b) A person who is not [other than] a peace officer [(] or
[one] acting at a peace officer's [his] direction [)] is justified
in using nonlethal force against another when and to the degree [the
actor reasonably believes] the force is immediately necessary to
make or assist in making a lawful arrest, or to prevent or assist in
preventing escape after lawful arrest if:
(1)[,] before using force, the actor:
(A) manifests the actor's [his] purpose to arrest
and the reason for the arrest or reasonably believes the actor's
[his] purpose and the reason are already known by or cannot
reasonably be made known to the person for whom arrest is
authorized;
(B) attempts to de-escalate the situation; and
(C) issues a warning that force will be used;
(2) the force used is proportionate to the threat
posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense;
(3) the actor immediately terminates the use of force
the moment the person against whom force is used becomes compliant
or is subdued; and
(4) the use of force does not present a serious risk of
injury to any person other than the actor or the person against whom
the force is used [to be arrested].
(c) A peace officer is only justified in using deadly force
against another when and to the degree [the peace officer
reasonably believes] the deadly force is immediately necessary to
make an arrest, or to prevent escape after arrest, if the use of
force would have been justified under Subsection (a) and:
(1) [the actor reasonably believes the conduct for
which arrest is authorized included the use or attempted use of
deadly force; or
[(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a
substantial risk that] the person for whom arrest is authorized
poses an imminent threat of [to be arrested will cause] death or
serious bodily injury to the actor or another;
(2) the deadly force is used only against the person
for whom arrest is authorized;
(3) the actor immediately terminates the use of deadly
force the moment the imminent threat of death or serious bodily
injury is eliminated; and
(4) no lesser degree of force could have eliminated
the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury [if the arrest
is delayed].
(d) A person who is not [other than] a peace officer but is
acting in a peace officer's presence and at the officer's [his]
direction is justified in using deadly force against another when
and to the degree [the person reasonably believes] the deadly force
is immediately necessary to make a lawful arrest, or to prevent
escape after a lawful arrest, if the use of force would have been
justified under Subsection (b) and:
(1) [the actor reasonably believes the felony or
offense against the public peace for which arrest is authorized
included the use or attempted use of deadly force; or
[(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a
substantial risk that] the person for whom arrest is authorized
poses an imminent threat of [to be arrested will cause] death or
serious bodily injury to another;
(2) the deadly force is used only against the person
for whom arrest is authorized;
(3) the actor immediately terminates the use of deadly
force the moment the imminent threat of death or serious bodily
injury is eliminated; and
(4) no lesser degree of force could have eliminated
the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury [if the arrest
is delayed].
SECTION 21. Subchapter E, Chapter 9, Penal Code, is amended
by adding Section 9.515 to read as follows:
Sec. 9.515. PROHIBITED TECHNIQUES. Notwithstanding any
other law, the use of force or deadly force against a person is not
justified under Section 9.51 if the force or deadly force is used in
a manner that impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the
blood of the person by applying pressure to the person's throat or
neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth.
SECTION 22. Section 543.001, Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 543.001. ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT AUTHORIZED. Any peace
officer may arrest without warrant a person found committing a
violation of this subtitle, other than a person found only
committing one or more misdemeanors punishable by fine only.
SECTION 23. Section 543.004(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) An officer shall issue a written notice to appear if:
(1) the offense charged is a misdemeanor under this
subtitle that is punishable by fine only[:
[(A) speeding;
[(B) the use of a wireless communication device
under Section 545.4251; or
[(C) a violation of the open container law,
Section 49.031, Penal Code]; and
(2) the person makes a written promise to appear in
court as provided by Section 543.005.
SECTION 24. Section 9.51(e), Penal Code, is repealed.
SECTION 25. Chapter 135, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues
on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 26. The changes in law made by this Act to the Local
Government Code apply only to a disciplinary action for conduct
that occurs on or after March 1, 2022. Conduct that occurs before
that date is governed by the law in effect immediately before that
date, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 27. Sections 142.067(b), 143.307(d), 143.361(d),
and 174.005(b), Local Government Code, as added by this Act, apply
only to an agreement entered into or renewed on or after March 1,
2022. An agreement entered into or renewed before March 1, 2022, is
governed by the law in effect on the date the agreement was entered
into or renewed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 28. (a) The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement
Management Institute of Texas shall consult with law enforcement
agencies of all sizes, law enforcement associations, law
enforcement training experts, and appropriate organizations
engaged in the development of law enforcement policy to develop a
model progressive disciplinary matrix, as defined by Section
143.003(6), Local Government Code, as added by this Act, and
associated training materials regarding the application of that
matrix. The institute shall provide for a period of public comment
before adopting the model progressive disciplinary matrix and
training materials.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2022, the institute shall
adopt and disseminate the model progressive disciplinary matrix and
training materials to all law enforcement agencies and civil
service commissions in this state.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2022.
SECTION 29. Articles 14.01, 14.03, and 14.06, Code of
Criminal Procedure, as amended by this Act, Section 9.515, Penal
Code, as added by this Act, and Sections 543.001 and 543.004,
Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to an
offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An
offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed
by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of
this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of
this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 30. (a) Not later than January 1, 2022, Texas
Southern University shall publish the model policy required by
Article 2.1309(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this
Act.
(b) Not later than March 1, 2022, each law enforcement
agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by Article
2.1309(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act.
SECTION 31. Article 38.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
amended by this Act, applies to any case in which a judgment is
entered on or after the effective date of this Act. A case in which
a judgment is entered before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the judgment was entered,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 32. (a) Not later than January 1, 2022, the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop and make available the
model policy and associated training materials required under
Section 1701.165, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than March 1, 2022, each law enforcement
agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by Article
2.33, Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act.
(c) Section 9.51, Penal Code, as amended by this Act,
applies only to use of force that occurs on or after March 1, 2022.
SECTION 33. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.