Bill Text: TX HB54 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Relating to accompanying and filming peace officers of state and local law enforcement agencies for producing reality television programs.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-2)

Status: (Passed) 2021-05-26 - Effective immediately [HB54 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB54-Engrossed.html

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By: Talarico, White, Israel, Bucy, Patterson, H.B. No. 54
et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to accompanying and filming peace officers of state and
local law enforcement agencies for producing reality television
programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as Javier Ambler's Law.
SECTION 2. Chapter 614, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter M to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER M. ACCOMPANYING OR FILMING OF PEACE OFFICERS
Sec. 614.231. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Law enforcement agency" means an agency of this
state or a political subdivision of this state that employs peace
officers other than game wardens.
(2) "Reality television program" means a nonfictional
television program that features the same live subjects over the
course of more than one episode primarily for entertainment
purposes, but does not include reporting on a matter of public
concern by a journalist as defined by Article 38.11, Code of
Criminal Procedure.
Sec. 614.232. ACCOMPANYING AND FILMING PEACE OFFICERS FOR
REALITY TELEVISION PROGRAM PROHIBITED. A law enforcement agency
may not authorize a person to accompany and film a peace officer
acting in the line of duty for the purpose of producing a reality
television program.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.