H.B. No. 3841 amends Section 511.021 of the Government Code to enhance the investigation process for the deaths of prisoners in county jails. The bill 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 of its acceptance of the appointment. Additionally, the bill introduces new subsections that outline the commission's responsibilities to publish specific information regarding 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 legislative change aims to improve transparency and accountability in the investigation of prisoner deaths, ensuring that relevant information is readily available to the public. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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