Bill Text: TX SB1896 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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

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Bill Title: Relating to the investigation of the death of a prisoner in county jail.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-06 - Referred to County Affairs [SB1896 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB1896-Introduced.html

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88R13028 MZM-D
By: Birdwell S.B. No. 1896

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the investigation of the death of a person in county
jail or in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 501.055(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the inmate:
(1) dies of natural causes [while attended by a
physician or a registered nurse]; [or]
(2) is lawfully executed; or
(3) dies in a manner that does not indicate an offense
has been committed.
SECTION 2. Section 511.021(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) On the death of a prisoner in a county jail, other than a
death from natural causes or occurring in a manner that does not
indicate an offense has been committed, the commission shall
appoint a law enforcement agency, other than the local law
enforcement agency that operates the county jail, to investigate
the death as soon as possible. Except as otherwise provided by
Subsection (b), the appointed law enforcement agency shall conduct
the investigation.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.