Texas Senate Bill SB2059

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to required reporting by a peace officer and collection of data and information relating to the criminal offense of interference with child custody.

Impact

If passed, SB2059 would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure by adding Article 2.274, thereby imposing new data collection standards for peace officers. It also integrates the specific reporting of interference with child custody offenses into broader law enforcement data collection processes managed by the Department of Public Safety. This integration is designed to improve the tracking and understanding of such offenses, potentially leading to better policy formulation and response strategies for child custody disputes.

Summary

SB2059 is a legislative bill aimed at establishing specific reporting requirements for peace officers when responding to incidents involving the criminal offense of interference with child custody. The bill mandates that peace officers create a written report containing crucial information such as the date, time, and location of the alleged offense, details about the offender, complainant, and involved children, as well as whether a custody order has been issued by the court. This new regulation seeks to enhance transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies regarding custody-related offenses.

Contention

There are potential points of contention surrounding SB2059, particularly regarding how stringent reporting requirements may affect the operational burden on law enforcement agencies. Some may argue that the additional requirements could lead to increased paperwork and strain resources. Additionally, the implications for privacy and how data will be handled, stored, and shared amongst agencies could evoke concerns from civil liberties advocates and privacy groups. The balance between necessary data collection and safeguarding individual rights will likely be a significant discussion point as the bill moves through the legislative process.