Bill Text: TX SB1324 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the investigation of municipal fire fighters.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-18 - Referred to Local Government [SB1324 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-SB1324-Introduced.html
87R13370 TYPED | ||
By: Hinojosa | S.B. No. 1324 |
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relating to the investigation of municipal fire fighters. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 614, Government Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 614.024 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 614.024. INVESTIGATION OF MUNICIPAL FIRE FIGHTERS | ||
REQUIRED. (a) In this section: | ||
(1) "Fire fighter" means a paid employee of a | ||
municipal fire department. | ||
(2) "Investigation" means an administrative | ||
investigation conducted by a municipality of alleged misconduct by | ||
a fire fighter that could result in punitive action against the fire | ||
fighter. | ||
(3) "Punitive action" means a disciplinary | ||
suspension, indefinite suspension, demotion in rank, reprimand, or | ||
any combination of those actions. | ||
(b) Notwithstanding Section 614.021(b), this section | ||
applies to a fire fighter employed by a municipality regardless of | ||
whether the municipality is covered by a meet and confer or | ||
collective bargaining agreement under Chapter 143 or 174, Local | ||
Government Code. | ||
(c) In addition to the requirements of Section 614.023, a | ||
municipality may not take punitive action against a fire fighter | ||
unless an investigation has been conducted in accordance with | ||
Section 143.123 or 143.312, Local Government Code, or other | ||
applicable law. | ||
(d) A municipality to which Section 143.123 or 143.312, | ||
Local Government Code, or another substantially similar | ||
investigation requirement does not apply shall adopt and comply | ||
with procedures substantially identical to those required by | ||
Section 143.312, Local Government Code. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 614.023(a), Government Code, is amended | ||
to read as follows: | ||
(a) A copy of a signed complaint against a law enforcement | ||
officer of this state or a fire fighter, detention officer, county | ||
jailer, or peace officer appointed or employed by a political | ||
subdivision of this state shall be given to the officer or employee: | ||
(1) within a reasonable time after the complaint is | ||
filed; or | ||
(2) for a municipal fire fighter, in accordance with | ||
procedures adopted under Section 614.024(d). | ||
SECTION 3. Section 614.024, Government Code, as added by | ||
this Act, applies only to an investigation, as that term is defined | ||
by that section, initiated by a municipality on or after the | ||
effective date of this Act. | ||
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |