Texas Senate Bill SB1042

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to a data collection program established by the attorney general regarding defendants in certain criminal cases and access to information stored in criminal justice information databases.

Impact

With the implementation of this program, state laws regarding data handling within the criminal justice realm will evolve. Agencies will be required to cooperate with the Attorney General and contribute to the data collection initiative. This increased scrutiny and insight into interactions within the judicial process is likely to refine policy-making and legislative responses to criminal justice issues. Annual reports summarizing this data aim to promote transparency and foster informed discussions on the state of justice as it relates to various demographics in Texas.

Summary

SB1042 establishes a data collection program that is to be implemented by the Attorney General of Texas. The program targets data related to defendants in criminal cases who are alleged to have committed offenses that are Class B misdemeanors or higher. This includes comprehensive information from the point a defendant enters the criminal justice system until the resolution of their case, aiming to track demographics, charges, court fees, and case outcomes. By compiling such data, the bill seeks to better understand trends in the criminal justice system related to different demographic factors, including age, race, and gender.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, SB1042 may spark debate over issues of privacy and data handling. While the bill ensures that personal identifying information remains confidential and protected, critics may question how the data collected will be used and whether it could inadvertently lead to profiling or unintended consequences in treatment of specific groups within the justice system. Ensuring that the program does not result in stigmatization or misuse of data collected will be central to the discussions surrounding it.