The bill amends Section 511.021 of the Government Code to enhance the investigation process for the deaths of prisoners in county jails. It mandates that within 30 days of being notified of a prisoner's death, the commission must appoint a law enforcement agency, distinct from the local agency operating the jail, to conduct the investigation. The appointed agency is required to begin the investigation as soon as practicable and must notify the commission regarding its acceptance of the appointment. Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for the commission to publish specific information about each death on its website, including the county of occurrence, date of death, and details about the investigating agency.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the published information must be updated monthly and remain accessible on the commission's website for at least two years following the prisoner's death. This aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation process. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 511.021 (Government Code 511)