Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2136

Filed

1/28/25

Out of House Committee

5/7/25

Voted on by House

5/16/25

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to design and use of a model criminal citation and an addendum to the citation.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2136 is expected to impact the Code of Criminal Procedure significantly by establishing clear guidelines for citation design. Every law enforcement agency in Texas will need to comply with these standards by a set deadline, leading to a more uniform approach to issuing citations statewide. This standardization may contribute to the reduction of judicial backlog and improve the handling of misdemeanors, as clearer citations could encourage more individuals to respond appropriately to their charges.

Summary

House Bill 2136 aims to create a standardized model for criminal citations within the state of Texas, mandating that law enforcement agencies adopt a specific format designed by the Office of Court Administration. The intent behind this bill is to streamline the citation process, reduce costs associated with citation failures to appear, and improve overall court efficiency and communication. By requiring that citations be designed in plain language and include important information, the bill seeks to facilitate better understanding and compliance from those receiving citations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2136 appears largely positive, especially among proponents of criminal justice reform and efficiency. Supporters argue that the bill will enhance public understanding of citation requirements and bolster the fairness of the justice system. However, there is also caution expressed about the implementation; stakeholders are concerned about the need for user testing and public comment periods to ensure that the new citations effectively meet the needs of both law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Contention

While the bill is widely supported, some contention arises regarding its implementation timeline and the need for adequate training for law enforcement on the new citation formats. Critics question whether the Office of Court Administration can meet the deadlines set forth in the bill and whether all agencies will have the resources needed to adapt to the new system without disruption. Additionally, debates continue about whether a one-size-fits-all approach effectively addresses the diverse needs of different jurisdictions across Texas.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Code Of Criminal Procedure

Chapter 2. General Duties Of Officers
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Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB4486

Relating to design and use of a model criminal citation.

TX HB4379

Relating to citations and arrests for criminal offenses and pretrial detention and release.

TX SB208

Relating to the criminal penalties for delivery and possession of marihuana and citations given for those offenses.

TX HB410

Relating to law enforcement policies regarding the issuance of citations for misdemeanors punishable by fine only and to a limitation on the authority to arrest a person for certain fine-only misdemeanors.

TX HB4504

Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of certain provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including conforming amendments.

TX HB1807

Relating to the offense of failure to comply with an order from a fire marshal and the authority of certain county peace officers to issue citations for certain violations; changing a criminal penalty.

TX HB1468

Relating to assignment of traffic citations to justices of the peace in large counties.

TX SB571

Relating to interactions between law enforcement and individuals detained or arrested on suspicion of the commission of criminal offenses, witnesses to the commission of those offenses, and other members of the public, to peace officer liability for those interactions, and to the confinement, conviction, or release of detained or arrested individuals.

TX HB4123

Relating to access to and use of certain criminal history record information.

TX HB2519

Relating to law enforcement misconduct and law enforcement interactions with certain detained or arrested individuals and other members of the public, to public entity liability for those interactions, and to the confinement, conviction, or release of detained or arrested individuals.