S.B. No. 1421 aims to establish guidelines and defenses related to the use of less-lethal force weapons by peace officers in Texas. The bill introduces a new section, 9.55, to the Penal Code, defining "less-lethal force weapon" and outlining the conditions under which a peace officer may be justified in using such a weapon. Specifically, it states that an officer is justified if they reasonably believe the use of the weapon is necessary for their official duties and complies with their training, agency policies, manufacturer's instructions, and existing state law. Additionally, the bill amends the Occupations Code to require law enforcement agencies to adopt policies regarding the use of force, including less-lethal weapons, and mandates that officers receive training on these weapons before being issued one.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes that the use of less-lethal force weapons must adhere to agency policies and prohibits their use outside these guidelines. Agencies are required to have a policy approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Education regarding the issuance and training of less-lethal weapons. The bill also stipulates that any changes made will only apply to offenses committed after its effective date, ensuring that prior offenses are governed by the law in effect at the time they were committed. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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