Bill Text: TX HB1639 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the use of body worn cameras by correctional officers.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-09 - Referred to Corrections [HB1639 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB1639-Introduced.html
| 87R1077 JRR-D | ||
| By: Sherman, Sr. | H.B. No. 1639 | |
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| relating to the use of body worn cameras by correctional officers. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by | ||
| adding Section 493.034 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 493.034. BODY WORN CAMERA POLICY. (a) In this | ||
| section, "body worn camera" has the meaning assigned by Section | ||
| 1701.651, Occupations Code. | ||
| (b) The department shall adopt a policy for the use of body | ||
| worn cameras by correctional officers at facilities operated by or | ||
| under contract with the department. The policy must require that | ||
| each correctional officer be equipped with a body worn camera | ||
| during the officer's shift and require each officer to keep the | ||
| camera activated during the performance of the officer's duties. | ||
| SECTION 2. Section 511.009, Government Code, is amended by | ||
| adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: | ||
| (f) The commission shall require the sheriff of each county | ||
| to adopt a policy for the use of body worn cameras by correctional | ||
| officers at each county jail within the sheriff's jurisdiction. A | ||
| policy adopted under this subsection must require that each | ||
| correctional officer be equipped with a body worn camera during the | ||
| officer's shift and require each officer to keep the camera | ||
| activated during the performance of the officer's duties. For | ||
| purposes of this subsection, "body worn camera" has the meaning | ||
| assigned by Section 1701.651, Occupations Code. | ||
| SECTION 3. (a) The Texas Department of Criminal Justice | ||
| shall adopt the policy required by Section 493.034, Government | ||
| Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2022. | ||
| (b) The Commission on Jail Standards shall require the | ||
| sheriff of each county to adopt the policy required by Section | ||
| 511.009(f), Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than | ||
| January 1, 2022. | ||
| SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. | ||
