89R2557 JCG-D
By: Ward Johnson H.B. No. 3343
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the duties of peace officers investigating a family
violence allegation or responding to a disturbance call that may
involve family violence.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 5.04, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) A peace officer who investigates a family violence
allegation or responds to a disturbance call that may involve
family violence shall, to the extent practicable under the
circumstances, physically separate the individuals at the scene and
conduct an interview of the potential victim in a manner that
prevents the suspect from intimidating the victim while the victim
is providing statements and other evidence to the investigating
peace officer, including, as practicable, by:
(1) preventing the suspect from being able to make eye
contact with the victim or make any other nonverbal communication
to the victim;
(2) placing the suspect and victim into separate
rooms, if both are detained indoors; and
(3) preventing the suspect from making verbal
communications to the victim by:
(A) placing the suspect at a distance from the
victim at which speech is not likely to be overheard or
intelligible; or
(B) using physical barriers.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.