Bill Text: TX HB274 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to a limitation on the authority to arrest a person for certain misdemeanors punishable by fine only.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-25 - Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety [HB274 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB274-Introduced.html

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87R1940 AJZ-D
By: Meza H.B. No. 274

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a limitation on the authority to arrest a person for
certain misdemeanors punishable by fine only.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 2.1308 to read as follows:
Art. 2.1308. CITE AND RELEASE POLICY. (a) In this article,
"law enforcement agency" means an agency of the state or an agency
of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ
peace officers.
(b) Each law enforcement agency, in consultation with
judges, prosecutors, commissioners courts, governing bodies of
municipalities, and residents located within the agency's
jurisdiction, shall adopt a written policy regarding the issuance
of citations for misdemeanor offenses, including traffic offenses,
that are punishable by fine only. The policy must provide a
procedure for a peace officer, on a person's presentation of
appropriate identification, to verify the person's identity and
issue a citation to the person. The policy must:
(1) comply with Articles 14.01, 14.03, and 14.06 of
this code and Sections 543.001 and 543.004, Transportation Code;
and
(2) ensure judicial efficiency, law enforcement
efficiency and effectiveness, and community safety.
SECTION 2. Article 14.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (b), a peace officer
or any other person may not, without a warrant, arrest an offender
who commits only one or more offenses punishable by fine only, other
than an offense under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3) or 49.02, Penal
Code, or Chapter 106, Alcoholic Beverage Code, unless the officer
or person has probable cause to believe that:
(1) the failure to arrest the offender creates a clear
and immediate danger to the offender or the public;
(2) the failure to arrest the offender will allow a
continued breach of the public peace; or
(3) the offender will not appear in court in
accordance with the citation.
SECTION 3. Article 14.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
(h) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), (d), or (g), a peace
officer may not, without a warrant, arrest a person who commits only
one or more offenses punishable by fine only, other than an offense
under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3) or 49.02, Penal Code, or Chapter
106, Alcoholic Beverage Code, unless the officer has probable cause
as described by Article 14.01(c).
SECTION 4. Article 14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
read as follows:
(b) A peace officer who is charging a person, including a
child, with committing an offense that is a [Class C] misdemeanor
punishable by fine only, other than an offense under Section
22.01(a)(2) or (3) or 49.02, Penal Code, or Chapter 106, Alcoholic
Beverage Code, shall [may], instead of taking the person before a
magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains:
(1) written notice of the time and place the person
must appear before a magistrate;
(2) the name and address of the person charged;
(3) the offense charged;
(4) information regarding the alternatives to the full
payment of any fine or costs assessed against the person, if the
person is convicted of the offense and is unable to pay that amount;
and
(5) the following admonishment, in boldfaced or
underlined type or in capital letters:
"If you are convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving
violence where you are or were a spouse, intimate partner, parent,
or guardian of the victim or are or were involved in another,
similar relationship with the victim, it may be unlawful for you to
possess or purchase a firearm, including a handgun or long gun, or
ammunition, pursuant to federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section
922(g)(9) or Section 46.04(b), Texas Penal Code. If you have any
questions whether these laws make it illegal for you to possess or
purchase a firearm, you should consult an attorney."
(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a peace officer who
is charging a person, including a child, with committing an offense
that is a misdemeanor punishable by fine only under Section
22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Chapter 106, Alcoholic Beverage
Code, may, instead of taking the person before a magistrate, issue
to the person a citation that contains all of the information
required for a citation issued under Subsection (b).
SECTION 5. Section 543.001, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 543.001. ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT AUTHORIZED. Any peace
officer may arrest without warrant a person found committing a
violation of this subtitle, except that the officer may not arrest a
person found committing only one or more misdemeanors punishable by
fine only unless the officer has probable cause as described by
Article 14.01(c), Code of Criminal Procedure.
SECTION 6. Section 543.004(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Unless the officer is authorized to arrest the person
under Section 543.001, an [An] officer shall issue a written notice
to appear if:
(1) the offense charged is a misdemeanor under this
subtitle that is punishable by fine only[:
[(A) speeding;
[(B) the use of a wireless communication device
under Section 545.4251; or
[(C) a violation of the open container law,
Section 49.031, Penal Code]; and
(2) the person makes a written promise to appear in
court as provided by Section 543.005.
SECTION 7. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An
offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed
by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of
this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of
this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 8. Not later than January 1, 2022, each law
enforcement agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by
Article 2.1308(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.