1 | 1 | | 88R3465 AJZ-F |
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2 | 2 | | By: West S.B. No. 571 |
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3 | 3 | | |
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4 | 4 | | |
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5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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7 | 7 | | relating to interactions between law enforcement and individuals |
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8 | 8 | | detained or arrested on suspicion of the commission of criminal |
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9 | 9 | | offenses, witnesses to the commission of those offenses, and other |
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10 | 10 | | members of the public, to peace officer liability for those |
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11 | 11 | | interactions, and to the confinement, conviction, or release of |
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12 | 12 | | detained or arrested individuals. |
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13 | 13 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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14 | 14 | | SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the George Floyd Law |
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15 | 15 | | Enforcement Accountability Act. |
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16 | 16 | | SECTION 2. Title 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is |
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17 | 17 | | amended by adding Chapter 135 to read as follows: |
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18 | 18 | | CHAPTER 135. PEACE OFFICER LIABILITY FOR DEPRIVATION OF CERTAIN |
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19 | 19 | | RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR IMMUNITIES |
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20 | 20 | | Sec. 135.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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21 | 21 | | (1) "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by |
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22 | 22 | | Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure. |
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23 | 23 | | (2) "Public entity" means: |
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24 | 24 | | (A) this state; |
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25 | 25 | | (B) a political subdivision of this state, |
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26 | 26 | | including a municipality or county; and |
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27 | 27 | | (C) any other governmental agency whose |
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28 | 28 | | authority is derived from the laws or constitution of this state. |
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29 | 29 | | Sec. 135.0002. PEACE OFFICER LIABILITY FOR DEPRIVATION OF |
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30 | 30 | | RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR IMMUNITIES UNDER COLOR OF LAW. (a) A person |
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31 | 31 | | may bring an action for any appropriate relief, including legal or |
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32 | 32 | | equitable relief, against a peace officer who, under the color of |
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33 | 33 | | law, deprived the person of or caused the person to be deprived of a |
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34 | 34 | | right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Texas Constitution. |
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35 | 35 | | (b) A person must bring an action under this chapter not |
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36 | 36 | | later than two years after the date the cause of action accrues. |
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37 | 37 | | Sec. 135.0003. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW; PROHIBITED |
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38 | 38 | | DEFENSES. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a statutory immunity |
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39 | 39 | | or limitation on liability, damages, or attorney's fees does not |
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40 | 40 | | apply to an action brought under this chapter. |
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41 | 41 | | (b) Notwithstanding any other law, qualified immunity or a |
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42 | 42 | | defendant's good faith but erroneous belief in the lawfulness of |
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43 | 43 | | the defendant's conduct is not a defense to an action brought under |
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44 | 44 | | this chapter. |
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45 | 45 | | Sec. 135.0004. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS. (a) In an action |
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46 | 46 | | brought under this chapter, a court shall award reasonable |
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47 | 47 | | attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff. |
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48 | 48 | | (b) In an action brought under this chapter, if a judgment |
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49 | 49 | | is entered in favor of a defendant, the court may award reasonable |
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50 | 50 | | attorney's fees and costs to the defendant only for defending |
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51 | 51 | | claims the court finds frivolous. |
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52 | 52 | | Sec. 135.0005. INDEMNIFICATION REQUIRED; EXCEPTION. (a) |
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53 | 53 | | Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by Subsection |
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54 | 54 | | (b), a public entity shall indemnify a peace officer employed by the |
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55 | 55 | | entity for liability incurred by and a judgment imposed against the |
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56 | 56 | | officer in an action brought under this chapter. |
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57 | 57 | | (b) A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace |
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58 | 58 | | officer employed by the entity under Subsection (a) if the officer |
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59 | 59 | | was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct that is the |
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60 | 60 | | basis for the action brought under this chapter. |
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61 | 61 | | SECTION 3. Article 2.13(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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62 | 62 | | amended to read as follows: |
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63 | 63 | | (b) The officer [shall]: |
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64 | 64 | | (1) may, if authorized [in every case authorized by |
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65 | 65 | | the provisions of this Code], interfere without warrant to prevent |
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66 | 66 | | or suppress crime; |
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67 | 67 | | (2) shall execute all lawful process issued to the |
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68 | 68 | | officer by any magistrate or court; |
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69 | 69 | | (3) shall give notice to some magistrate of all |
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70 | 70 | | offenses committed within the officer's jurisdiction, if [where] |
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71 | 71 | | the officer has probable cause [good reason] to believe there has |
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72 | 72 | | been a violation of the penal law; [and] |
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73 | 73 | | (4) may, if authorized, arrest offenders without |
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74 | 74 | | warrant so [in every case where the officer is authorized by law, in |
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75 | 75 | | order] that they may be taken before the proper magistrate or court |
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76 | 76 | | and be tried; |
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77 | 77 | | (5) shall make an identification as a peace officer |
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78 | 78 | | before taking any action within the course and scope of the |
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79 | 79 | | officer's official duties unless the identification would render |
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80 | 80 | | the action impracticable; |
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81 | 81 | | (6) shall intervene if the use of force by another |
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82 | 82 | | peace officer: |
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83 | 83 | | (A) violates state or federal law or a policy of |
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84 | 84 | | any entity served by the other officer; |
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85 | 85 | | (B) puts any person at risk of bodily injury, |
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86 | 86 | | unless the officer reasonably believes that the other officer's use |
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87 | 87 | | of force is immediately necessary to avoid imminent harm to a peace |
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88 | 88 | | officer or other person; or |
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89 | 89 | | (C) is not required to apprehend or complete the |
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90 | 90 | | apprehension of a suspect; and |
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91 | 91 | | (7) shall provide aid immediately to any person who |
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92 | 92 | | needs medical attention, including a person who needs medical |
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93 | 93 | | attention as a result of the use of force by a peace officer. |
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94 | 94 | | SECTION 4. Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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95 | 95 | | amended by adding Articles 2.1309 and 2.36 to read as follows: |
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96 | 96 | | Art. 2.1309. CITE AND RELEASE POLICY. (a) In this article, |
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97 | 97 | | "law enforcement agency" means an agency of the state or an agency |
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98 | 98 | | of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ |
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99 | 99 | | peace officers. |
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100 | 100 | | (b) Texas Southern University, in consultation with law |
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101 | 101 | | enforcement agencies, law enforcement associations, law |
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102 | 102 | | enforcement training experts, and community organizations engaged |
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103 | 103 | | in the development of law enforcement policy, shall publish a |
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104 | 104 | | written model policy regarding the issuance of citations for |
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105 | 105 | | misdemeanor offenses, including traffic offenses, that are |
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106 | 106 | | punishable by fine only. The policy must provide a procedure for a |
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107 | 107 | | peace officer, on a person's presentation of appropriate |
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108 | 108 | | identification, to verify the person's identity and issue a |
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109 | 109 | | citation to the person. The policy must comply with Articles 14.01, |
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110 | 110 | | 14.03, and 14.06 of this code and Sections 543.001 and 543.004, |
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111 | 111 | | Transportation Code. |
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112 | 112 | | (c) Each law enforcement agency shall adopt a written policy |
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113 | 113 | | regarding the issuance of citations for misdemeanor offenses, |
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114 | 114 | | including traffic offenses, that are punishable by fine only. The |
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115 | 115 | | policy must meet the requirements for the model policy described by |
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116 | 116 | | Subsection (b). A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy |
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117 | 117 | | published by Texas Southern University under Subsection (b). |
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118 | 118 | | Art. 2.36. LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY ON DE-ESCALATION AND |
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119 | 119 | | PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE. (a) In this article, "law enforcement |
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120 | 120 | | agency" means an agency of the state or an agency of a political |
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121 | 121 | | subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ peace |
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122 | 122 | | officers. |
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123 | 123 | | (b) Each law enforcement agency shall adopt a detailed |
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124 | 124 | | written policy regarding the use of force by peace officers. The |
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125 | 125 | | policy must: |
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126 | 126 | | (1) emphasize conflict de-escalation and the use of |
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127 | 127 | | force in a manner proportionate to the threat posed and to the |
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128 | 128 | | seriousness of the alleged offense; |
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129 | 129 | | (2) mandate that deadly force is only to be used by |
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130 | 130 | | peace officers as a last resort; and |
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131 | 131 | | (3) affirm the sanctity of human life and the |
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132 | 132 | | importance of treating all persons with dignity and respect. |
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133 | 133 | | (c) A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy |
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134 | 134 | | developed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under Section |
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135 | 135 | | 1701.165, Occupations Code, or may adopt its own policy. |
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136 | 136 | | SECTION 5. Article 14.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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137 | 137 | | amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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138 | 138 | | (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (b), a peace officer |
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139 | 139 | | or any other person may not, without a warrant, arrest an offender |
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140 | 140 | | for a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, other than an offense |
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141 | 141 | | under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Section 49.02, |
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142 | 142 | | Penal Code. |
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143 | 143 | | SECTION 6. Article 14.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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144 | 144 | | amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: |
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145 | 145 | | (i) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), (d), or (g), a peace |
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146 | 146 | | officer may not, without a warrant, arrest a person who only commits |
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147 | 147 | | one or more offenses punishable by fine only, other than an offense |
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148 | 148 | | under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Section 49.02, |
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149 | 149 | | Penal Code. |
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150 | 150 | | SECTION 7. Article 14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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151 | 151 | | amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to |
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152 | 152 | | read as follows: |
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153 | 153 | | (b) A peace officer who is charging a person, including a |
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154 | 154 | | child, with committing an offense that is a [Class C] misdemeanor |
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155 | 155 | | punishable by fine only, other than an offense under Section 49.02, |
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156 | 156 | | Penal Code, shall [may], instead of taking the person before a |
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157 | 157 | | magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains: |
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158 | 158 | | (1) written notice of the time and place the person |
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159 | 159 | | must appear before a magistrate; |
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160 | 160 | | (2) the name and address of the person charged; |
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161 | 161 | | (3) the offense charged; |
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162 | 162 | | (4) information regarding the alternatives to the full |
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163 | 163 | | payment of any fine or costs assessed against the person, if the |
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164 | 164 | | person is convicted of the offense and is unable to pay that amount; |
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165 | 165 | | and |
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166 | 166 | | (5) the following admonishment, in boldfaced or |
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167 | 167 | | underlined type or in capital letters: |
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168 | 168 | | "If you are convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving |
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169 | 169 | | violence where you are or were a spouse, intimate partner, parent, |
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170 | 170 | | or guardian of the victim or are or were involved in another, |
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171 | 171 | | similar relationship with the victim, it may be unlawful for you to |
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172 | 172 | | possess or purchase a firearm, including a handgun or long gun, or |
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173 | 173 | | ammunition, pursuant to federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section |
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174 | 174 | | 922(g)(9) or Section 46.04(b), Texas Penal Code. If you have any |
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175 | 175 | | questions whether these laws make it illegal for you to possess or |
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176 | 176 | | purchase a firearm, you should consult an attorney." |
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177 | 177 | | (b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a peace officer who |
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178 | 178 | | is charging a person, including a child, with committing an offense |
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179 | 179 | | that is a misdemeanor under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, |
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180 | 180 | | punishable by fine only may, instead of taking the person before a |
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181 | 181 | | magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains all of the |
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182 | 182 | | information required for a citation issued under Subsection (b). |
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183 | 183 | | SECTION 8. Article 38.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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184 | 184 | | amended to read as follows: |
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185 | 185 | | Art. 38.141. CORROBORATION REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN TESTIMONY |
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186 | 186 | | RELATING TO COVERT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY [OF UNDERCOVER PEACE |
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187 | 187 | | OFFICER OR SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR]. (a) A defendant may not be |
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188 | 188 | | convicted of an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, |
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189 | 189 | | on the testimony of a person who is [not a licensed peace officer or |
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190 | 190 | | a special investigator but who is] acting covertly on behalf of a |
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191 | 191 | | law enforcement agency or under the color of law enforcement unless |
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192 | 192 | | the testimony is corroborated by other evidence tending to connect |
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193 | 193 | | the defendant with the offense committed. |
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194 | 194 | | (b) Corroboration is not sufficient for the purposes of this |
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195 | 195 | | article if the corroboration only shows the commission of the |
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196 | 196 | | offense. |
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197 | 197 | | [(c) In this article, "peace officer" means a person listed |
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198 | 198 | | in Article 2.12, and "special investigator" means a person listed |
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199 | 199 | | in Article 2.122.] |
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200 | 200 | | SECTION 9. Subchapter B, Chapter 142, Local Government |
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201 | 201 | | Code, is amended by adding Section 142.0605 to read as follows: |
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202 | 202 | | Sec. 142.0605. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a) A |
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203 | 203 | | public employer shall implement a progressive disciplinary matrix, |
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204 | 204 | | as described by Section 143.0511, for municipal police officers if |
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205 | 205 | | the municipality has not adopted Chapter 143. |
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206 | 206 | | (b) The public employer shall adopt rules necessary to |
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207 | 207 | | implement the progressive disciplinary matrix. |
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208 | 208 | | SECTION 10. Section 142.067, Local Government Code, is |
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209 | 209 | | amended to read as follows: |
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210 | 210 | | Sec. 142.067. AGREEMENT SUPERSEDES CONFLICTING PROVISIONS. |
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211 | 211 | | (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a [A] written meet and |
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212 | 212 | | confer agreement ratified under this subchapter preempts, during |
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213 | 213 | | the term of the agreement and to the extent of any conflict, all |
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214 | 214 | | contrary state statutes, local ordinances, executive orders, civil |
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215 | 215 | | service provisions, or rules adopted by the head of the law |
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216 | 216 | | enforcement agency or municipality or by a division or agent of the |
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217 | 217 | | municipality, such as a personnel board or a civil service |
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218 | 218 | | commission. |
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219 | 219 | | (b) An agreement under this subchapter: |
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220 | 220 | | (1) must implement the progressive disciplinary |
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221 | 221 | | matrix established under Section 142.0605 or 143.0511; and |
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222 | 222 | | (2) may not conflict with and does not supersede a |
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223 | 223 | | statute, ordinance, order, civil service provision, or rule |
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224 | 224 | | concerning the disciplinary actions that may be imposed on a police |
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225 | 225 | | officer under the progressive disciplinary matrix. |
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226 | 226 | | SECTION 11. Section 143.003, Local Government Code, is |
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227 | 227 | | amended by adding Subdivision (6) to read as follows: |
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228 | 228 | | (6) "Progressive disciplinary matrix" means a formal |
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229 | 229 | | schedule for disciplinary actions that may be taken against a |
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230 | 230 | | police officer as described by Section 143.0511. |
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231 | 231 | | SECTION 12. Section 143.008, Local Government Code, is |
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232 | 232 | | amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to |
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233 | 233 | | read as follows: |
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234 | 234 | | (c) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe cause |
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235 | 235 | | for removal or suspension of a fire fighter [or police officer]. The |
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236 | 236 | | rules must comply with the grounds for removal prescribed by |
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237 | 237 | | Section 143.051. |
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238 | 238 | | (c-1) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe the |
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239 | 239 | | disciplinary actions that may be taken against a police officer |
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240 | 240 | | under a progressive disciplinary matrix. |
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241 | 241 | | SECTION 13. Subchapter D, Chapter 143, Local Government |
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242 | 242 | | Code, is amended by adding Section 143.0511 to read as follows: |
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243 | 243 | | Sec. 143.0511. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a) The |
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244 | 244 | | commission shall implement a progressive disciplinary matrix for |
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245 | 245 | | infractions committed by police officers that consists of a range |
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246 | 246 | | of progressive disciplinary actions applied in a standardized way |
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247 | 247 | | based on the nature of the infraction and the officer's prior |
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248 | 248 | | conduct record, including removal, suspension, change of duty or |
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249 | 249 | | assignment, demotion, deduction of points from a promotional |
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250 | 250 | | examination grade, retraining, a written warning, or a written |
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251 | 251 | | reprimand. |
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252 | 252 | | (b) The progressive disciplinary matrix must include: |
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253 | 253 | | (1) standards for disciplinary actions relating to the |
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254 | 254 | | use of force against another person, including the failure to |
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255 | 255 | | de-escalate force incidents in accordance with departmental |
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256 | 256 | | policy; |
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257 | 257 | | (2) standards for evaluating the level of discipline |
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258 | 258 | | appropriate for uncommon infractions; and |
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259 | 259 | | (3) presumptive actions to be taken for each type of |
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260 | 260 | | infraction and any adjustment to be made based on a police officer's |
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261 | 261 | | previous disciplinary record. |
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262 | 262 | | SECTION 14. Section 143.057, Local Government Code, is |
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263 | 263 | | amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-1) to |
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264 | 264 | | read as follows: |
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265 | 265 | | (a) In addition to the other notice requirements prescribed |
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266 | 266 | | by this chapter, the written notice for a promotional bypass or the |
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267 | 267 | | letter of disciplinary action, as applicable, issued to a fire |
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268 | 268 | | fighter or police officer must state that in an appeal of an |
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269 | 269 | | indefinite suspension, a suspension, a promotional bypass, [or] a |
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270 | 270 | | recommended demotion, or, if issued to a police officer, any other |
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271 | 271 | | disciplinary sanction, the appealing fire fighter or police officer |
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272 | 272 | | may elect to appeal to an independent third party hearing examiner |
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273 | 273 | | instead of to the commission. The letter must also state that if the |
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274 | 274 | | fire fighter or police officer elects to appeal to a hearing |
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275 | 275 | | examiner, the person waives all rights to appeal to a district court |
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276 | 276 | | except as provided by Subsection (j). |
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277 | 277 | | (b-1) A hearing examiner must presume a disciplinary action |
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278 | 278 | | applied to a police officer under a progressive disciplinary matrix |
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279 | 279 | | is reasonable unless the facts indicate that the department |
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280 | 280 | | inappropriately applied a category of offense to the particular |
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281 | 281 | | violation. |
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282 | 282 | | SECTION 15. Section 143.307, Local Government Code, is |
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283 | 283 | | amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection |
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284 | 284 | | (d) to read as follows: |
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285 | 285 | | (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] agreement |
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286 | 286 | | under this subchapter supersedes a previous statute concerning |
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287 | 287 | | wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours of work, or other terms and |
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288 | 288 | | conditions of employment to the extent of any conflict with the |
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289 | 289 | | statute. |
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290 | 290 | | (b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] agreement |
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291 | 291 | | under this subchapter preempts any contrary statute, executive |
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292 | 292 | | order, local ordinance, or rule adopted by the state or a political |
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293 | 293 | | subdivision or agent of the state, including a personnel board, a |
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294 | 294 | | civil service commission, or a home-rule municipality. |
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295 | 295 | | (d) An agreement under this subchapter affecting police |
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296 | 296 | | officers: |
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297 | 297 | | (1) must implement the progressive disciplinary |
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298 | 298 | | matrix established under Section 143.0511; and |
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299 | 299 | | (2) may not conflict with and does not supersede a |
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300 | 300 | | statute, order, ordinance, or rule concerning the disciplinary |
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301 | 301 | | actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the |
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302 | 302 | | progressive disciplinary matrix. |
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303 | 303 | | SECTION 16. Section 143.361, Local Government Code, is |
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304 | 304 | | amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection |
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305 | 305 | | (d) to read as follows: |
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306 | 306 | | (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] written |
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307 | 307 | | agreement ratified under this subchapter between a public employer |
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308 | 308 | | and the bargaining agent supersedes a previous statute concerning |
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309 | 309 | | wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours of work, and other terms of |
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310 | 310 | | employment other than pension benefits to the extent of any |
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311 | 311 | | conflict with the previous statute. |
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312 | 312 | | (b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] written |
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313 | 313 | | agreement ratified under this subchapter preempts all contrary |
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314 | 314 | | local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules adopted |
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315 | 315 | | by the state or a political subdivision or agent of the state, such |
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316 | 316 | | as a personnel board, a civil service commission, or a home-rule |
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317 | 317 | | municipality. |
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318 | 318 | | (d) An agreement under this subchapter affecting police |
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319 | 319 | | officers: |
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320 | 320 | | (1) must implement the progressive disciplinary |
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321 | 321 | | matrix established under Section 143.0511; and |
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322 | 322 | | (2) may not conflict with and does not supersede an |
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323 | 323 | | ordinance, order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary |
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324 | 324 | | actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the |
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325 | 325 | | progressive disciplinary matrix. |
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326 | 326 | | SECTION 17. Section 174.005, Local Government Code, is |
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327 | 327 | | amended to read as follows: |
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328 | 328 | | Sec. 174.005. PREEMPTION OF OTHER LAW. (a) Except as |
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329 | 329 | | provided by Subsection (b), this [This] chapter preempts all |
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330 | 330 | | contrary local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules |
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331 | 331 | | adopted by the state or by a political subdivision or agent of the |
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332 | 332 | | state, including a personnel board, civil service commission, or |
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333 | 333 | | home-rule municipality. |
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334 | 334 | | (b) This chapter does not authorize the adoption or |
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335 | 335 | | implementation of an agreement that conflicts with an ordinance, |
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336 | 336 | | order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary actions that |
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337 | 337 | | may be imposed on municipal police officers under a progressive |
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338 | 338 | | disciplinary matrix implemented by the municipal public employer. |
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339 | 339 | | SECTION 18. Subchapter B, Chapter 174, Local Government |
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340 | 340 | | Code, is amended by adding Section 174.024 to read as follows: |
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341 | 341 | | Sec. 174.024. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX FOR CERTAIN |
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342 | 342 | | POLICE OFFICERS. (a) A municipal public employer shall implement a |
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343 | 343 | | progressive disciplinary matrix, as described by Section 143.0511, |
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344 | 344 | | for municipal police officers if the municipality has not adopted |
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345 | 345 | | Chapter 143. |
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346 | 346 | | (b) The municipal public employer shall adopt rules |
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347 | 347 | | necessary to implement the progressive disciplinary matrix. |
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348 | 348 | | SECTION 19. Subchapter D, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, |
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349 | 349 | | is amended by adding Section 1701.165 to read as follows: |
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350 | 350 | | Sec. 1701.165. MODEL POLICY ON USE OF FORCE. (a) The |
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351 | 351 | | commission shall develop and make available to all law enforcement |
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352 | 352 | | agencies in this state a model policy and associated training |
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353 | 353 | | materials regarding the use of force by peace officers. The model |
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354 | 354 | | policy must: |
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355 | 355 | | (1) be designed to minimize the number and severity of |
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356 | 356 | | incidents in which peace officers use force; and |
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357 | 357 | | (2) be consistent with the requirements of Article |
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358 | 358 | | 2.36(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, and the guiding principles on |
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359 | 359 | | the use of force issued by the Police Executive Research Forum. |
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360 | 360 | | (b) In developing a model policy under this section, the |
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361 | 361 | | commission shall consult with: |
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362 | 362 | | (1) law enforcement agencies and organizations, |
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363 | 363 | | including the Police Executive Research Forum and other national |
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364 | 364 | | experts on police management and training; and |
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365 | 365 | | (2) community organizations. |
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366 | 366 | | (c) On request of a law enforcement agency, the commission |
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367 | 367 | | shall provide the agency with training regarding the model policy |
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368 | 368 | | developed under Subsection (a). |
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369 | 369 | | SECTION 20. Sections 9.51(a), (b), (c), and (d), Penal |
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370 | 370 | | Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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371 | 371 | | (a) A peace officer, or a person acting in a peace officer's |
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372 | 372 | | presence and at the officer's [his] direction, is justified in |
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373 | 373 | | using nonlethal force against another when and to the degree [the |
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374 | 374 | | actor reasonably believes] the force is immediately necessary to |
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375 | 375 | | make or assist in making an arrest or search, or to prevent or |
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376 | 376 | | assist in preventing escape after arrest, if: |
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377 | 377 | | (1) the actor reasonably believes the arrest or search |
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378 | 378 | | is lawful or, if the arrest or search is made under a warrant, the |
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379 | 379 | | actor [he] reasonably believes the warrant is valid; [and] |
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380 | 380 | | (2) before using nonlethal force, the actor: |
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381 | 381 | | (A) manifests the actor's [his] purpose to arrest |
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382 | 382 | | or search and identifies the actor [himself] as a peace officer or |
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383 | 383 | | as a person [one] acting at a peace officer's direction, unless the |
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384 | 384 | | actor [he] reasonably believes the actor's [his] purpose and |
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385 | 385 | | identity are already known by or cannot reasonably be made known to |
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386 | 386 | | the person for whom the arrest or search is authorized; |
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387 | 387 | | (B) attempts to de-escalate the situation; and |
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388 | 388 | | (C) issues a warning that force will be used; |
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389 | 389 | | (3) the nonlethal force used is proportionate to the |
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390 | 390 | | threat posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense; |
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391 | 391 | | (4) the actor immediately terminates the use of the |
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392 | 392 | | nonlethal force the moment the person against whom force is used |
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393 | 393 | | becomes compliant or is subdued; and |
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394 | 394 | | (5) the use of the nonlethal force does not present a |
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395 | 395 | | serious risk of injury to any person other than the actor or the |
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396 | 396 | | person against whom the force is used [to be arrested]. |
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397 | 397 | | (b) A person who is not [other than] a peace officer [(] or |
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398 | 398 | | [one] acting at a peace officer's [his] direction [)] is justified |
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399 | 399 | | in using nonlethal force against another when and to the degree [the |
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400 | 400 | | actor reasonably believes] the force is immediately necessary to |
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401 | 401 | | make or assist in making a lawful arrest, or to prevent or assist in |
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402 | 402 | | preventing escape after lawful arrest if: |
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403 | 403 | | (1) [,] before using nonlethal force, the actor: |
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404 | 404 | | (A) manifests the actor's [his] purpose to arrest |
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405 | 405 | | and the reason for the arrest or reasonably believes the actor's |
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406 | 406 | | [his] purpose and the reason are already known by or cannot |
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407 | 407 | | reasonably be made known to the person for whom arrest is |
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408 | 408 | | authorized; |
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409 | 409 | | (B) attempts to de-escalate the situation; and |
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410 | 410 | | (C) issues a warning that force will be used; |
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411 | 411 | | (2) the nonlethal force used is proportionate to the |
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412 | 412 | | threat posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense; |
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413 | 413 | | (3) the actor immediately terminates the use of the |
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414 | 414 | | nonlethal force the moment the person against whom force is used |
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415 | 415 | | becomes compliant or is subdued; and |
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416 | 416 | | (4) the use of the nonlethal force does not present a |
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417 | 417 | | serious risk of injury to any person other than the actor or the |
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418 | 418 | | person against whom the force is used [to be arrested]. |
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419 | 419 | | (c) A peace officer is only justified in using deadly force |
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420 | 420 | | against another when and to the degree [the peace officer |
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421 | 421 | | reasonably believes] the deadly force is immediately necessary to |
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422 | 422 | | make an arrest, or to prevent escape after arrest, if the use of |
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423 | 423 | | force would have been justified under Subsection (a) and: |
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424 | 424 | | (1) [the actor reasonably believes the conduct for |
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425 | 425 | | which arrest is authorized included the use or attempted use of |
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426 | 426 | | deadly force; or |
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427 | 427 | | [(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a |
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428 | 428 | | substantial risk that] the person for whom arrest is authorized |
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429 | 429 | | poses an imminent threat of [to be arrested will cause] death or |
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430 | 430 | | serious bodily injury to the actor or another; |
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431 | 431 | | (2) the deadly force is used only against the person |
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432 | 432 | | for whom arrest is authorized; |
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433 | 433 | | (3) the actor immediately terminates the use of deadly |
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434 | 434 | | force the moment the imminent threat of death or serious bodily |
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435 | 435 | | injury is eliminated; and |
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436 | 436 | | (4) no lesser degree of force could have eliminated |
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437 | 437 | | the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury [if the arrest |
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438 | 438 | | is delayed]. |
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439 | 439 | | (d) A person who is not [other than] a peace officer but is |
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440 | 440 | | acting in a peace officer's presence and at the officer's [his] |
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441 | 441 | | direction is justified in using deadly force against another when |
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442 | 442 | | and to the degree [the person reasonably believes] the deadly force |
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443 | 443 | | is immediately necessary to make a lawful arrest, or to prevent |
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444 | 444 | | escape after a lawful arrest, if the use of force would have been |
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445 | 445 | | justified under Subsection (b) and: |
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446 | 446 | | (1) [the actor reasonably believes the felony or |
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447 | 447 | | offense against the public peace for which arrest is authorized |
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448 | 448 | | included the use or attempted use of deadly force; or |
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449 | 449 | | [(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a |
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450 | 450 | | substantial risk that] the person for whom arrest is authorized |
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451 | 451 | | poses an imminent threat of [to be arrested will cause] death or |
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452 | 452 | | serious bodily injury to another; |
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453 | 453 | | (2) the deadly force is used only against the person |
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454 | 454 | | for whom arrest is authorized; |
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455 | 455 | | (3) the actor immediately terminates the use of deadly |
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456 | 456 | | force the moment the imminent threat of death or serious bodily |
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457 | 457 | | injury is eliminated; and |
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458 | 458 | | (4) no lesser degree of force could have eliminated |
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459 | 459 | | the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury [if the arrest |
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460 | 460 | | is delayed]. |
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461 | 461 | | SECTION 21. Subchapter E, Chapter 9, Penal Code, is amended |
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462 | 462 | | by adding Section 9.515 to read as follows: |
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463 | 463 | | Sec. 9.515. PROHIBITED TECHNIQUES. Notwithstanding any |
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464 | 464 | | other law, the use of nonlethal force or deadly force against a |
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465 | 465 | | person is not justified under Section 9.51 if the nonlethal force or |
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466 | 466 | | deadly force is used in a manner that impedes the normal breathing |
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467 | 467 | | or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to |
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468 | 468 | | the person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or |
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469 | 469 | | mouth. |
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470 | 470 | | SECTION 22. Section 543.001, Transportation Code, is |
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471 | 471 | | amended to read as follows: |
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472 | 472 | | Sec. 543.001. ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT AUTHORIZED. Any peace |
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473 | 473 | | officer may arrest without warrant a person found committing a |
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474 | 474 | | violation of this subtitle, other than a person found only |
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475 | 475 | | committing one or more misdemeanors punishable by fine only. |
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476 | 476 | | SECTION 23. Section 543.004(a), Transportation Code, is |
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477 | 477 | | amended to read as follows: |
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478 | 478 | | (a) An officer shall issue a written notice to appear if: |
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479 | 479 | | (1) the offense charged is a misdemeanor under this |
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480 | 480 | | subtitle that is punishable by fine only[: |
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481 | 481 | | [(A) speeding; |
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482 | 482 | | [(B) the use of a wireless communication device |
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483 | 483 | | under Section 545.4251; or |
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484 | 484 | | [(C) a violation of the open container law, |
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485 | 485 | | Section 49.031, Penal Code]; and |
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486 | 486 | | (2) the person makes a written promise to appear in |
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487 | 487 | | court as provided by Section 543.005. |
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488 | 488 | | SECTION 24. Section 9.51(e), Penal Code, is repealed. |
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489 | 489 | | SECTION 25. Chapter 135, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, |
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490 | 490 | | as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues |
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491 | 491 | | on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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492 | 492 | | SECTION 26. The changes in law made by this Act to the Local |
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493 | 493 | | Government Code apply only to a disciplinary action for conduct |
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494 | 494 | | that occurs on or after March 1, 2024. Conduct that occurs before |
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495 | 495 | | that date is governed by the law in effect immediately before that |
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496 | 496 | | date, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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497 | 497 | | SECTION 27. Sections 142.067(b), 143.307(d), 143.361(d), |
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498 | 498 | | and 174.005(b), Local Government Code, as added by this Act, apply |
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499 | 499 | | only to an agreement entered into or renewed on or after March 1, |
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500 | 500 | | 2024. An agreement entered into or renewed before March 1, 2024, is |
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501 | 501 | | governed by the law in effect on the date the agreement was entered |
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502 | 502 | | into or renewed, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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503 | 503 | | purpose. |
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504 | 504 | | SECTION 28. (a) The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement |
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505 | 505 | | Management Institute of Texas shall consult with law enforcement |
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506 | 506 | | agencies of all sizes, law enforcement associations, law |
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507 | 507 | | enforcement training experts, and appropriate organizations |
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508 | 508 | | engaged in the development of law enforcement policy to develop a |
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509 | 509 | | model progressive disciplinary matrix, as defined by Section |
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510 | 510 | | 143.003(6), Local Government Code, as added by this Act, and |
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511 | 511 | | associated training materials regarding the application of that |
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512 | 512 | | matrix. The institute shall provide for a period of public comment |
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513 | 513 | | before adopting the model progressive disciplinary matrix and |
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514 | 514 | | training materials. |
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515 | 515 | | (b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the institute shall |
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516 | 516 | | adopt and disseminate the model progressive disciplinary matrix and |
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517 | 517 | | training materials to all law enforcement agencies and civil |
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518 | 518 | | service commissions in this state. |
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519 | 519 | | (c) This section expires September 1, 2024. |
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520 | 520 | | SECTION 29. Articles 14.01(c) and 14.03(i), Code of |
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521 | 521 | | Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act, Article 14.06, Code of |
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522 | 522 | | Criminal Procedure, as amended by this Act, Section 9.515, Penal |
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523 | 523 | | Code, as added by this Act, and Sections 543.001 and 543.004, |
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524 | 524 | | Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to an |
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525 | 525 | | offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An |
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526 | 526 | | offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed |
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527 | 527 | | by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the |
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528 | 528 | | former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of |
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529 | 529 | | this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of |
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530 | 530 | | this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date. |
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531 | 531 | | SECTION 30. (a) Not later than January 1, 2024, Texas |
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532 | 532 | | Southern University shall publish the model policy required by |
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533 | 533 | | Article 2.1309(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this |
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534 | 534 | | Act. |
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535 | 535 | | (b) Not later than March 1, 2024, each law enforcement |
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536 | 536 | | agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by Article |
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537 | 537 | | 2.1309(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act. |
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538 | 538 | | SECTION 31. Article 38.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, as |
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539 | 539 | | amended by this Act, applies to any case in which a judgment is |
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540 | 540 | | entered on or after the effective date of this Act. A case in which |
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541 | 541 | | a judgment is entered before the effective date of this Act is |
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542 | 542 | | governed by the law in effect on the date the judgment was entered, |
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543 | 543 | | and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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544 | 544 | | SECTION 32. (a) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Texas |
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545 | 545 | | Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop and make available the |
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546 | 546 | | model policy and associated training materials required under |
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547 | 547 | | Section 1701.165, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
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548 | 548 | | (b) Not later than March 1, 2024, each law enforcement |
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549 | 549 | | agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by Article |
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550 | 550 | | 2.36, Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act. |
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551 | 551 | | (c) Section 9.51, Penal Code, as amended by this Act, |
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552 | 552 | | applies only to use of force that occurs on or after March 1, 2024. |
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553 | 553 | | SECTION 33. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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