Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB571 Compare Versions

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11 88R3465 AJZ-F
22 By: West S.B. No. 571
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44
55 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
66 AN ACT
77 relating to interactions between law enforcement and individuals
88 detained or arrested on suspicion of the commission of criminal
99 offenses, witnesses to the commission of those offenses, and other
1010 members of the public, to peace officer liability for those
1111 interactions, and to the confinement, conviction, or release of
1212 detained or arrested individuals.
1313 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1414 SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the George Floyd Law
1515 Enforcement Accountability Act.
1616 SECTION 2. Title 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
1717 amended by adding Chapter 135 to read as follows:
1818 CHAPTER 135. PEACE OFFICER LIABILITY FOR DEPRIVATION OF CERTAIN
1919 RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR IMMUNITIES
2020 Sec. 135.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
2121 (1) "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by
2222 Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure.
2323 (2) "Public entity" means:
2424 (A) this state;
2525 (B) a political subdivision of this state,
2626 including a municipality or county; and
2727 (C) any other governmental agency whose
2828 authority is derived from the laws or constitution of this state.
2929 Sec. 135.0002. PEACE OFFICER LIABILITY FOR DEPRIVATION OF
3030 RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR IMMUNITIES UNDER COLOR OF LAW. (a) A person
3131 may bring an action for any appropriate relief, including legal or
3232 equitable relief, against a peace officer who, under the color of
3333 law, deprived the person of or caused the person to be deprived of a
3434 right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Texas Constitution.
3535 (b) A person must bring an action under this chapter not
3636 later than two years after the date the cause of action accrues.
3737 Sec. 135.0003. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW; PROHIBITED
3838 DEFENSES. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a statutory immunity
3939 or limitation on liability, damages, or attorney's fees does not
4040 apply to an action brought under this chapter.
4141 (b) Notwithstanding any other law, qualified immunity or a
4242 defendant's good faith but erroneous belief in the lawfulness of
4343 the defendant's conduct is not a defense to an action brought under
4444 this chapter.
4545 Sec. 135.0004. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS. (a) In an action
4646 brought under this chapter, a court shall award reasonable
4747 attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff.
4848 (b) In an action brought under this chapter, if a judgment
4949 is entered in favor of a defendant, the court may award reasonable
5050 attorney's fees and costs to the defendant only for defending
5151 claims the court finds frivolous.
5252 Sec. 135.0005. INDEMNIFICATION REQUIRED; EXCEPTION. (a)
5353 Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by Subsection
5454 (b), a public entity shall indemnify a peace officer employed by the
5555 entity for liability incurred by and a judgment imposed against the
5656 officer in an action brought under this chapter.
5757 (b) A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace
5858 officer employed by the entity under Subsection (a) if the officer
5959 was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct that is the
6060 basis for the action brought under this chapter.
6161 SECTION 3. Article 2.13(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
6262 amended to read as follows:
6363 (b) The officer [shall]:
6464 (1) may, if authorized [in every case authorized by
6565 the provisions of this Code], interfere without warrant to prevent
6666 or suppress crime;
6767 (2) shall execute all lawful process issued to the
6868 officer by any magistrate or court;
6969 (3) shall give notice to some magistrate of all
7070 offenses committed within the officer's jurisdiction, if [where]
7171 the officer has probable cause [good reason] to believe there has
7272 been a violation of the penal law; [and]
7373 (4) may, if authorized, arrest offenders without
7474 warrant so [in every case where the officer is authorized by law, in
7575 order] that they may be taken before the proper magistrate or court
7676 and be tried;
7777 (5) shall make an identification as a peace officer
7878 before taking any action within the course and scope of the
7979 officer's official duties unless the identification would render
8080 the action impracticable;
8181 (6) shall intervene if the use of force by another
8282 peace officer:
8383 (A) violates state or federal law or a policy of
8484 any entity served by the other officer;
8585 (B) puts any person at risk of bodily injury,
8686 unless the officer reasonably believes that the other officer's use
8787 of force is immediately necessary to avoid imminent harm to a peace
8888 officer or other person; or
8989 (C) is not required to apprehend or complete the
9090 apprehension of a suspect; and
9191 (7) shall provide aid immediately to any person who
9292 needs medical attention, including a person who needs medical
9393 attention as a result of the use of force by a peace officer.
9494 SECTION 4. Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
9595 amended by adding Articles 2.1309 and 2.36 to read as follows:
9696 Art. 2.1309. CITE AND RELEASE POLICY. (a) In this article,
9797 "law enforcement agency" means an agency of the state or an agency
9898 of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ
9999 peace officers.
100100 (b) Texas Southern University, in consultation with law
101101 enforcement agencies, law enforcement associations, law
102102 enforcement training experts, and community organizations engaged
103103 in the development of law enforcement policy, shall publish a
104104 written model policy regarding the issuance of citations for
105105 misdemeanor offenses, including traffic offenses, that are
106106 punishable by fine only. The policy must provide a procedure for a
107107 peace officer, on a person's presentation of appropriate
108108 identification, to verify the person's identity and issue a
109109 citation to the person. The policy must comply with Articles 14.01,
110110 14.03, and 14.06 of this code and Sections 543.001 and 543.004,
111111 Transportation Code.
112112 (c) Each law enforcement agency shall adopt a written policy
113113 regarding the issuance of citations for misdemeanor offenses,
114114 including traffic offenses, that are punishable by fine only. The
115115 policy must meet the requirements for the model policy described by
116116 Subsection (b). A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy
117117 published by Texas Southern University under Subsection (b).
118118 Art. 2.36. LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY ON DE-ESCALATION AND
119119 PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE. (a) In this article, "law enforcement
120120 agency" means an agency of the state or an agency of a political
121121 subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ peace
122122 officers.
123123 (b) Each law enforcement agency shall adopt a detailed
124124 written policy regarding the use of force by peace officers. The
125125 policy must:
126126 (1) emphasize conflict de-escalation and the use of
127127 force in a manner proportionate to the threat posed and to the
128128 seriousness of the alleged offense;
129129 (2) mandate that deadly force is only to be used by
130130 peace officers as a last resort; and
131131 (3) affirm the sanctity of human life and the
132132 importance of treating all persons with dignity and respect.
133133 (c) A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy
134134 developed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under Section
135135 1701.165, Occupations Code, or may adopt its own policy.
136136 SECTION 5. Article 14.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
137137 amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
138138 (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (b), a peace officer
139139 or any other person may not, without a warrant, arrest an offender
140140 for a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, other than an offense
141141 under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Section 49.02,
142142 Penal Code.
143143 SECTION 6. Article 14.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
144144 amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
145145 (i) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), (d), or (g), a peace
146146 officer may not, without a warrant, arrest a person who only commits
147147 one or more offenses punishable by fine only, other than an offense
148148 under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Section 49.02,
149149 Penal Code.
150150 SECTION 7. Article 14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
151151 amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
152152 read as follows:
153153 (b) A peace officer who is charging a person, including a
154154 child, with committing an offense that is a [Class C] misdemeanor
155155 punishable by fine only, other than an offense under Section 49.02,
156156 Penal Code, shall [may], instead of taking the person before a
157157 magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains:
158158 (1) written notice of the time and place the person
159159 must appear before a magistrate;
160160 (2) the name and address of the person charged;
161161 (3) the offense charged;
162162 (4) information regarding the alternatives to the full
163163 payment of any fine or costs assessed against the person, if the
164164 person is convicted of the offense and is unable to pay that amount;
165165 and
166166 (5) the following admonishment, in boldfaced or
167167 underlined type or in capital letters:
168168 "If you are convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving
169169 violence where you are or were a spouse, intimate partner, parent,
170170 or guardian of the victim or are or were involved in another,
171171 similar relationship with the victim, it may be unlawful for you to
172172 possess or purchase a firearm, including a handgun or long gun, or
173173 ammunition, pursuant to federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section
174174 922(g)(9) or Section 46.04(b), Texas Penal Code. If you have any
175175 questions whether these laws make it illegal for you to possess or
176176 purchase a firearm, you should consult an attorney."
177177 (b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a peace officer who
178178 is charging a person, including a child, with committing an offense
179179 that is a misdemeanor under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code,
180180 punishable by fine only may, instead of taking the person before a
181181 magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains all of the
182182 information required for a citation issued under Subsection (b).
183183 SECTION 8. Article 38.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
184184 amended to read as follows:
185185 Art. 38.141. CORROBORATION REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN TESTIMONY
186186 RELATING TO COVERT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY [OF UNDERCOVER PEACE
187187 OFFICER OR SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR]. (a) A defendant may not be
188188 convicted of an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code,
189189 on the testimony of a person who is [not a licensed peace officer or
190190 a special investigator but who is] acting covertly on behalf of a
191191 law enforcement agency or under the color of law enforcement unless
192192 the testimony is corroborated by other evidence tending to connect
193193 the defendant with the offense committed.
194194 (b) Corroboration is not sufficient for the purposes of this
195195 article if the corroboration only shows the commission of the
196196 offense.
197197 [(c) In this article, "peace officer" means a person listed
198198 in Article 2.12, and "special investigator" means a person listed
199199 in Article 2.122.]
200200 SECTION 9. Subchapter B, Chapter 142, Local Government
201201 Code, is amended by adding Section 142.0605 to read as follows:
202202 Sec. 142.0605. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a) A
203203 public employer shall implement a progressive disciplinary matrix,
204204 as described by Section 143.0511, for municipal police officers if
205205 the municipality has not adopted Chapter 143.
206206 (b) The public employer shall adopt rules necessary to
207207 implement the progressive disciplinary matrix.
208208 SECTION 10. Section 142.067, Local Government Code, is
209209 amended to read as follows:
210210 Sec. 142.067. AGREEMENT SUPERSEDES CONFLICTING PROVISIONS.
211211 (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a [A] written meet and
212212 confer agreement ratified under this subchapter preempts, during
213213 the term of the agreement and to the extent of any conflict, all
214214 contrary state statutes, local ordinances, executive orders, civil
215215 service provisions, or rules adopted by the head of the law
216216 enforcement agency or municipality or by a division or agent of the
217217 municipality, such as a personnel board or a civil service
218218 commission.
219219 (b) An agreement under this subchapter:
220220 (1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
221221 matrix established under Section 142.0605 or 143.0511; and
222222 (2) may not conflict with and does not supersede a
223223 statute, ordinance, order, civil service provision, or rule
224224 concerning the disciplinary actions that may be imposed on a police
225225 officer under the progressive disciplinary matrix.
226226 SECTION 11. Section 143.003, Local Government Code, is
227227 amended by adding Subdivision (6) to read as follows:
228228 (6) "Progressive disciplinary matrix" means a formal
229229 schedule for disciplinary actions that may be taken against a
230230 police officer as described by Section 143.0511.
231231 SECTION 12. Section 143.008, Local Government Code, is
232232 amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to
233233 read as follows:
234234 (c) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe cause
235235 for removal or suspension of a fire fighter [or police officer]. The
236236 rules must comply with the grounds for removal prescribed by
237237 Section 143.051.
238238 (c-1) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe the
239239 disciplinary actions that may be taken against a police officer
240240 under a progressive disciplinary matrix.
241241 SECTION 13. Subchapter D, Chapter 143, Local Government
242242 Code, is amended by adding Section 143.0511 to read as follows:
243243 Sec. 143.0511. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a) The
244244 commission shall implement a progressive disciplinary matrix for
245245 infractions committed by police officers that consists of a range
246246 of progressive disciplinary actions applied in a standardized way
247247 based on the nature of the infraction and the officer's prior
248248 conduct record, including removal, suspension, change of duty or
249249 assignment, demotion, deduction of points from a promotional
250250 examination grade, retraining, a written warning, or a written
251251 reprimand.
252252 (b) The progressive disciplinary matrix must include:
253253 (1) standards for disciplinary actions relating to the
254254 use of force against another person, including the failure to
255255 de-escalate force incidents in accordance with departmental
256256 policy;
257257 (2) standards for evaluating the level of discipline
258258 appropriate for uncommon infractions; and
259259 (3) presumptive actions to be taken for each type of
260260 infraction and any adjustment to be made based on a police officer's
261261 previous disciplinary record.
262262 SECTION 14. Section 143.057, Local Government Code, is
263263 amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
264264 read as follows:
265265 (a) In addition to the other notice requirements prescribed
266266 by this chapter, the written notice for a promotional bypass or the
267267 letter of disciplinary action, as applicable, issued to a fire
268268 fighter or police officer must state that in an appeal of an
269269 indefinite suspension, a suspension, a promotional bypass, [or] a
270270 recommended demotion, or, if issued to a police officer, any other
271271 disciplinary sanction, the appealing fire fighter or police officer
272272 may elect to appeal to an independent third party hearing examiner
273273 instead of to the commission. The letter must also state that if the
274274 fire fighter or police officer elects to appeal to a hearing
275275 examiner, the person waives all rights to appeal to a district court
276276 except as provided by Subsection (j).
277277 (b-1) A hearing examiner must presume a disciplinary action
278278 applied to a police officer under a progressive disciplinary matrix
279279 is reasonable unless the facts indicate that the department
280280 inappropriately applied a category of offense to the particular
281281 violation.
282282 SECTION 15. Section 143.307, Local Government Code, is
283283 amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection
284284 (d) to read as follows:
285285 (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] agreement
286286 under this subchapter supersedes a previous statute concerning
287287 wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours of work, or other terms and
288288 conditions of employment to the extent of any conflict with the
289289 statute.
290290 (b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] agreement
291291 under this subchapter preempts any contrary statute, executive
292292 order, local ordinance, or rule adopted by the state or a political
293293 subdivision or agent of the state, including a personnel board, a
294294 civil service commission, or a home-rule municipality.
295295 (d) An agreement under this subchapter affecting police
296296 officers:
297297 (1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
298298 matrix established under Section 143.0511; and
299299 (2) may not conflict with and does not supersede a
300300 statute, order, ordinance, or rule concerning the disciplinary
301301 actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the
302302 progressive disciplinary matrix.
303303 SECTION 16. Section 143.361, Local Government Code, is
304304 amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection
305305 (d) to read as follows:
306306 (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] written
307307 agreement ratified under this subchapter between a public employer
308308 and the bargaining agent supersedes a previous statute concerning
309309 wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours of work, and other terms of
310310 employment other than pension benefits to the extent of any
311311 conflict with the previous statute.
312312 (b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] written
313313 agreement ratified under this subchapter preempts all contrary
314314 local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules adopted
315315 by the state or a political subdivision or agent of the state, such
316316 as a personnel board, a civil service commission, or a home-rule
317317 municipality.
318318 (d) An agreement under this subchapter affecting police
319319 officers:
320320 (1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
321321 matrix established under Section 143.0511; and
322322 (2) may not conflict with and does not supersede an
323323 ordinance, order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary
324324 actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the
325325 progressive disciplinary matrix.
326326 SECTION 17. Section 174.005, Local Government Code, is
327327 amended to read as follows:
328328 Sec. 174.005. PREEMPTION OF OTHER LAW. (a) Except as
329329 provided by Subsection (b), this [This] chapter preempts all
330330 contrary local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules
331331 adopted by the state or by a political subdivision or agent of the
332332 state, including a personnel board, civil service commission, or
333333 home-rule municipality.
334334 (b) This chapter does not authorize the adoption or
335335 implementation of an agreement that conflicts with an ordinance,
336336 order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary actions that
337337 may be imposed on municipal police officers under a progressive
338338 disciplinary matrix implemented by the municipal public employer.
339339 SECTION 18. Subchapter B, Chapter 174, Local Government
340340 Code, is amended by adding Section 174.024 to read as follows:
341341 Sec. 174.024. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX FOR CERTAIN
342342 POLICE OFFICERS. (a) A municipal public employer shall implement a
343343 progressive disciplinary matrix, as described by Section 143.0511,
344344 for municipal police officers if the municipality has not adopted
345345 Chapter 143.
346346 (b) The municipal public employer shall adopt rules
347347 necessary to implement the progressive disciplinary matrix.
348348 SECTION 19. Subchapter D, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code,
349349 is amended by adding Section 1701.165 to read as follows:
350350 Sec. 1701.165. MODEL POLICY ON USE OF FORCE. (a) The
351351 commission shall develop and make available to all law enforcement
352352 agencies in this state a model policy and associated training
353353 materials regarding the use of force by peace officers. The model
354354 policy must:
355355 (1) be designed to minimize the number and severity of
356356 incidents in which peace officers use force; and
357357 (2) be consistent with the requirements of Article
358358 2.36(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, and the guiding principles on
359359 the use of force issued by the Police Executive Research Forum.
360360 (b) In developing a model policy under this section, the
361361 commission shall consult with:
362362 (1) law enforcement agencies and organizations,
363363 including the Police Executive Research Forum and other national
364364 experts on police management and training; and
365365 (2) community organizations.
366366 (c) On request of a law enforcement agency, the commission
367367 shall provide the agency with training regarding the model policy
368368 developed under Subsection (a).
369369 SECTION 20. Sections 9.51(a), (b), (c), and (d), Penal
370370 Code, are amended to read as follows:
371371 (a) A peace officer, or a person acting in a peace officer's
372372 presence and at the officer's [his] direction, is justified in
373373 using nonlethal force against another when and to the degree [the
374374 actor reasonably believes] the force is immediately necessary to
375375 make or assist in making an arrest or search, or to prevent or
376376 assist in preventing escape after arrest, if:
377377 (1) the actor reasonably believes the arrest or search
378378 is lawful or, if the arrest or search is made under a warrant, the
379379 actor [he] reasonably believes the warrant is valid; [and]
380380 (2) before using nonlethal force, the actor:
381381 (A) manifests the actor's [his] purpose to arrest
382382 or search and identifies the actor [himself] as a peace officer or
383383 as a person [one] acting at a peace officer's direction, unless the
384384 actor [he] reasonably believes the actor's [his] purpose and
385385 identity are already known by or cannot reasonably be made known to
386386 the person for whom the arrest or search is authorized;
387387 (B) attempts to de-escalate the situation; and
388388 (C) issues a warning that force will be used;
389389 (3) the nonlethal force used is proportionate to the
390390 threat posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense;
391391 (4) the actor immediately terminates the use of the
392392 nonlethal force the moment the person against whom force is used
393393 becomes compliant or is subdued; and
394394 (5) the use of the nonlethal force does not present a
395395 serious risk of injury to any person other than the actor or the
396396 person against whom the force is used [to be arrested].
397397 (b) A person who is not [other than] a peace officer [(] or
398398 [one] acting at a peace officer's [his] direction [)] is justified
399399 in using nonlethal force against another when and to the degree [the
400400 actor reasonably believes] the force is immediately necessary to
401401 make or assist in making a lawful arrest, or to prevent or assist in
402402 preventing escape after lawful arrest if:
403403 (1) [,] before using nonlethal force, the actor:
404404 (A) manifests the actor's [his] purpose to arrest
405405 and the reason for the arrest or reasonably believes the actor's
406406 [his] purpose and the reason are already known by or cannot
407407 reasonably be made known to the person for whom arrest is
408408 authorized;
409409 (B) attempts to de-escalate the situation; and
410410 (C) issues a warning that force will be used;
411411 (2) the nonlethal force used is proportionate to the
412412 threat posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense;
413413 (3) the actor immediately terminates the use of the
414414 nonlethal force the moment the person against whom force is used
415415 becomes compliant or is subdued; and
416416 (4) the use of the nonlethal force does not present a
417417 serious risk of injury to any person other than the actor or the
418418 person against whom the force is used [to be arrested].
419419 (c) A peace officer is only justified in using deadly force
420420 against another when and to the degree [the peace officer
421421 reasonably believes] the deadly force is immediately necessary to
422422 make an arrest, or to prevent escape after arrest, if the use of
423423 force would have been justified under Subsection (a) and:
424424 (1) [the actor reasonably believes the conduct for
425425 which arrest is authorized included the use or attempted use of
426426 deadly force; or
427427 [(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a
428428 substantial risk that] the person for whom arrest is authorized
429429 poses an imminent threat of [to be arrested will cause] death or
430430 serious bodily injury to the actor or another;
431431 (2) the deadly force is used only against the person
432432 for whom arrest is authorized;
433433 (3) the actor immediately terminates the use of deadly
434434 force the moment the imminent threat of death or serious bodily
435435 injury is eliminated; and
436436 (4) no lesser degree of force could have eliminated
437437 the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury [if the arrest
438438 is delayed].
439439 (d) A person who is not [other than] a peace officer but is
440440 acting in a peace officer's presence and at the officer's [his]
441441 direction is justified in using deadly force against another when
442442 and to the degree [the person reasonably believes] the deadly force
443443 is immediately necessary to make a lawful arrest, or to prevent
444444 escape after a lawful arrest, if the use of force would have been
445445 justified under Subsection (b) and:
446446 (1) [the actor reasonably believes the felony or
447447 offense against the public peace for which arrest is authorized
448448 included the use or attempted use of deadly force; or
449449 [(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a
450450 substantial risk that] the person for whom arrest is authorized
451451 poses an imminent threat of [to be arrested will cause] death or
452452 serious bodily injury to another;
453453 (2) the deadly force is used only against the person
454454 for whom arrest is authorized;
455455 (3) the actor immediately terminates the use of deadly
456456 force the moment the imminent threat of death or serious bodily
457457 injury is eliminated; and
458458 (4) no lesser degree of force could have eliminated
459459 the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury [if the arrest
460460 is delayed].
461461 SECTION 21. Subchapter E, Chapter 9, Penal Code, is amended
462462 by adding Section 9.515 to read as follows:
463463 Sec. 9.515. PROHIBITED TECHNIQUES. Notwithstanding any
464464 other law, the use of nonlethal force or deadly force against a
465465 person is not justified under Section 9.51 if the nonlethal force or
466466 deadly force is used in a manner that impedes the normal breathing
467467 or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to
468468 the person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or
469469 mouth.
470470 SECTION 22. Section 543.001, Transportation Code, is
471471 amended to read as follows:
472472 Sec. 543.001. ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT AUTHORIZED. Any peace
473473 officer may arrest without warrant a person found committing a
474474 violation of this subtitle, other than a person found only
475475 committing one or more misdemeanors punishable by fine only.
476476 SECTION 23. Section 543.004(a), Transportation Code, is
477477 amended to read as follows:
478478 (a) An officer shall issue a written notice to appear if:
479479 (1) the offense charged is a misdemeanor under this
480480 subtitle that is punishable by fine only[:
481481 [(A) speeding;
482482 [(B) the use of a wireless communication device
483483 under Section 545.4251; or
484484 [(C) a violation of the open container law,
485485 Section 49.031, Penal Code]; and
486486 (2) the person makes a written promise to appear in
487487 court as provided by Section 543.005.
488488 SECTION 24. Section 9.51(e), Penal Code, is repealed.
489489 SECTION 25. Chapter 135, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
490490 as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues
491491 on or after the effective date of this Act.
492492 SECTION 26. The changes in law made by this Act to the Local
493493 Government Code apply only to a disciplinary action for conduct
494494 that occurs on or after March 1, 2024. Conduct that occurs before
495495 that date is governed by the law in effect immediately before that
496496 date, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
497497 SECTION 27. Sections 142.067(b), 143.307(d), 143.361(d),
498498 and 174.005(b), Local Government Code, as added by this Act, apply
499499 only to an agreement entered into or renewed on or after March 1,
500500 2024. An agreement entered into or renewed before March 1, 2024, is
501501 governed by the law in effect on the date the agreement was entered
502502 into or renewed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
503503 purpose.
504504 SECTION 28. (a) The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement
505505 Management Institute of Texas shall consult with law enforcement
506506 agencies of all sizes, law enforcement associations, law
507507 enforcement training experts, and appropriate organizations
508508 engaged in the development of law enforcement policy to develop a
509509 model progressive disciplinary matrix, as defined by Section
510510 143.003(6), Local Government Code, as added by this Act, and
511511 associated training materials regarding the application of that
512512 matrix. The institute shall provide for a period of public comment
513513 before adopting the model progressive disciplinary matrix and
514514 training materials.
515515 (b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the institute shall
516516 adopt and disseminate the model progressive disciplinary matrix and
517517 training materials to all law enforcement agencies and civil
518518 service commissions in this state.
519519 (c) This section expires September 1, 2024.
520520 SECTION 29. Articles 14.01(c) and 14.03(i), Code of
521521 Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act, Article 14.06, Code of
522522 Criminal Procedure, as amended by this Act, Section 9.515, Penal
523523 Code, as added by this Act, and Sections 543.001 and 543.004,
524524 Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to an
525525 offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An
526526 offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed
527527 by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the
528528 former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of
529529 this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of
530530 this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
531531 SECTION 30. (a) Not later than January 1, 2024, Texas
532532 Southern University shall publish the model policy required by
533533 Article 2.1309(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this
534534 Act.
535535 (b) Not later than March 1, 2024, each law enforcement
536536 agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by Article
537537 2.1309(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act.
538538 SECTION 31. Article 38.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
539539 amended by this Act, applies to any case in which a judgment is
540540 entered on or after the effective date of this Act. A case in which
541541 a judgment is entered before the effective date of this Act is
542542 governed by the law in effect on the date the judgment was entered,
543543 and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
544544 SECTION 32. (a) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Texas
545545 Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop and make available the
546546 model policy and associated training materials required under
547547 Section 1701.165, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
548548 (b) Not later than March 1, 2024, each law enforcement
549549 agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by Article
550550 2.36, Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act.
551551 (c) Section 9.51, Penal Code, as amended by this Act,
552552 applies only to use of force that occurs on or after March 1, 2024.
553553 SECTION 33. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.