Bill Text: TX HB3825 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Relating to prohibiting the publication of certain criminal record information of individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-05-08 - Postponed 6/1/23 10:00 AM [HB3825 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3825-Comm_Sub.html
  88R11085 MZM-D
 
  By: Bucy H.B. No. 3825
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibiting the publication of certain criminal record
  information of individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 109.005, Business & Commerce Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows:
         (a-2)  Notwithstanding Section 109.003, a business entity
  may not publish criminal record information of an individual that
  includes a photograph described under Section 109.001(2)(B) unless
  the individual who is the subject of the information has been
  convicted of an offense arising out of the same transaction for
  which the individual was arrested or otherwise involved in the
  criminal justice system and pursuant to which the photograph was
  taken.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Article 2.36 to read as follows:
         Art. 2.36.  PUBLICATION OF MUG SHOT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
  AGENCY. (a) In this article:
               (1)  "Mug shot" means a photograph of an individual
  taken during the process of arresting the individual or booking the
  individual into jail.
               (2)  "Publish" has the meaning assigned by Section
  109.001, Business & Commerce Code.
         (b)  A law enforcement agency may not publish an individual's
  mug shot, unless:
               (1)  the individual has been convicted of an offense
  based on the conduct for which the individual was arrested or
  incarcerated at the time the mug shot was taken;
               (2)  the law enforcement agency publishes the mug shot
  after determining that:
                     (A)  the individual is:
                           (i)  a fugitive; or
                           (ii)  an imminent threat to another
  individual or to public safety; and
                     (B)  releasing the mug shot will assist in
  apprehending the individual or reducing or eliminating the threat;
  or
               (3)  a judge orders the release of the mug shot based on
  good cause shown.
         (c)  Mug shots are not confidential and are subject to
  disclosure in accordance with Chapter 552, Government Code.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to any
  publication of criminal record information, including a mug shot,
  that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act, regardless
  of whether:
               (1)  the information relates to an arrest that occurred
  before, on, or after that date; or
               (2)  the information was initially published before
  that date.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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