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