By: Birdwell S.B. No. 1896
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the investigation of the death of a prisoner in county
jail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 511.021(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) On the death of a prisoner in a county jail, other than a
death from natural causes as determined by a physician during an
autopsy or examination of the deceased prisoner, the commission
shall appoint a law enforcement agency, other than the local law
enforcement agency that operates the county jail, to investigate
the death as soon as possible. Except as otherwise provided by
Subsection (b), the appointed law enforcement agency shall conduct
the investigation.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.