By: Talarico, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Whitmire) H.B. No. 54
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 19, 2021;
  April 19, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Criminal Justice; May 6, 2021, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 6, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
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.
 
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