87(R) HB 929 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
 
 
  H.B.  No.  929
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to law enforcement policies and procedures regarding body
  worn cameras.
               BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
               SECTION  1.    This Act shall be known as the "Botham Jean Act."
               SECTION  2.    Section 1701.655, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as
  follows:
               (b)    A policy described by Subsection (a) must ensure that a
  body worn camera is activated only for a law enforcement purpose and
  must include:
                           (1)    guidelines for when a peace officer should
  activate a camera or discontinue a recording currently in progress,
  considering the need for privacy in certain situations and at
  certain locations;
                           (2)    provisions relating to data retention, including a
  provision requiring the retention of video for a minimum period of
  90 days;
                           (3)    provisions relating to storage of video and audio,
  creation of backup copies of the video and audio, and maintenance of
  data security;
                           (4)    provisions relating to the collection of a body
  worn camera, including the applicable video and audio recorded by
  the camera, as evidence;
                           (5)    guidelines for public access, through open records
  requests, to recordings that are public information;
                           (6)  [(5)]    provisions entitling an officer to access
  any recording of an incident involving the officer before the
  officer is required to make a statement about the incident;
                           (7)  [(6)]    procedures for supervisory or internal
  review; and
                           (8)  [(7)]    the handling and documenting of equipment
  and malfunctions of equipment.
               (c-1)    A policy described by Subsection (a) must require a
  peace officer who is equipped with a body worn camera and actively
  participating in an investigation to keep the camera activated for
  the entirety of the officer's active participation in the
  investigation unless the camera has been deactivated in compliance
  with that policy.
               SECTION  3.    Section 1701.657(b), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (b)    A peace officer equipped with a body worn camera may
  choose not to activate a camera or may choose to discontinue a
  recording currently in progress for any [nonconfrontational]
  encounter with a person that is not related to an investigation [,
  including an interview of a witness or victim].
               SECTION  4.    This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
       President of the Senate Speaker of the House          
 
 
               I certify that H.B. No. 929 was passed by the House on May 14,
  2021, by the following vote:    Yeas 108, Nays 34, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House      
 
 
               I certify that H.B. No. 929 was passed by the Senate on May
  24, 2021, by the following vote:    Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate        
  APPROVED:    _____________________
                                       Date                    
   
                     _____________________
                                   Governor              

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1701.655 Occupations Code, 1701.657 Occupations Code, 1701.661 Occupations Code, 8.02 Penal Code, 9.31 Penal Code, 9.32 Penal Code
House Committee Report: 1701.655 Occupations Code, 1701.657 Occupations Code
Engrossed: 1701.655 Occupations Code, 1701.657 Occupations Code
Senate Committee Report: 1701.655 Occupations Code
Enrolled: 1701.655 Occupations Code, 1701.657 Occupations Code