Bill Text: TX HR1349 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requesting the speaker to create an interim committee to study issues relating to police body camera equipment.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-09 - Left pending in committee [HR1349 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HR1349-Introduced.html

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84R13150 RMA-D
By: Wu H.R. No. 1349

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Across the nation, law enforcement agencies are
employing body-worn camera systems to promote even greater
transparency in the interactions between police officers and the
public and to ensure procedural justice; in many cases, however,
guidelines have not been fully developed to consider privacy and
security concerns caused by the use of cameras; and
WHEREAS, Body cameras have been shown to enhance officer
professionalism and to dramatically decrease use-of-force
incidents; moreover, the technology has helped agencies in
evaluating officer performance and in developing training tools for
tactics, communication, and customer service, resulting in fewer
public complaints filed against police departments; and
WHEREAS, In addition to advancing policing practices, body
cameras have proven to be invaluable resources in investigations
and court proceedings by providing video evidence of unlawful
activity and crime scenes and footage of victim statements; and
WHEREAS, While body cameras benefit myriad aspects of our
justice system, it is incumbent on law enforcement agencies to
implement policies that safeguard the rights of officers and
citizens alike; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby request the speaker of the house to create an
interim committee to study issues relating to police body camera
equipment, including network and equipment security, records
retention, preservation, and privacy rights; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including
its findings and recommendations, to the House of Representatives
of the 85th Texas Legislature before it convenes in January 2017.