Bill Text: TX HB410 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed


Bill Title: Relating to law enforcement policies regarding the issuance of citations for misdemeanors punishable by fine only and to a limitation on the authority to arrest a person for certain fine-only misdemeanors.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-04 - Received from the House [HB410 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB410-Engrossed.html
 
 
  By: Thompson of Harris, Cain, et al. H.B. No. 410
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to law enforcement policies regarding the issuance of
  citations for misdemeanors punishable by fine only and to a
  limitation on the authority to arrest a person for certain
  fine-only misdemeanors.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Article 2.1309 to read as follows:
         Art. 2.1309.  CITE AND RELEASE POLICY. (a) In this article,
  "law enforcement agency" means an agency of the state or an agency
  of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ
  peace officers.
         (b)  The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute
  of Texas, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, law
  enforcement associations, law enforcement training experts, and
  community organizations engaged in the development of law
  enforcement policy, shall publish a written model policy regarding
  the issuance of citations for misdemeanor offenses, including
  traffic offenses, that are punishable by fine only. The policy must
  provide a procedure for a peace officer, on a person's presentation
  of appropriate identification, to verify the person's identity and
  issue a citation to the person. The policy must comply with
  Articles 14.01, 14.03, and 14.06 of this code and Sections 543.001
  and 543.004, Transportation Code.
         (c)  Each law enforcement agency shall adopt a written policy
  regarding the issuance of citations for misdemeanor offenses,
  including traffic offenses, that are punishable by fine only. The
  policy must meet the requirements for the model policy described by
  Subsection (b). A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy
  published by the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management
  Institute of Texas under Subsection (b).
         SECTION 2.  Section 543.001, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 543.001.  ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT AUTHORIZED. Any peace
  officer may arrest without warrant a person found committing a
  violation of this subtitle, other than a person found only
  committing one or more misdemeanors punishable by fine only.
         SECTION 3.  Section 543.004(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  An officer shall issue a written notice to appear if:
               (1)  the offense charged is a misdemeanor under this
  subtitle that is punishable by fine only[:
                     [(A)  speeding;
                     [(B)  the use of a wireless communication device
  under Section 545.4251; or
                     [(C)  a violation of the open container law,
  Section 49.031, Penal Code]; and
               (2)  the person makes a written promise to appear in
  court as provided by Section 543.005.
         SECTION 4.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An
  offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed
  by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of
  this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of
  this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
         SECTION 5.  (a) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Bill
  Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas shall
  publish the model policy required by Article 2.1309(b), Code of
  Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than March 1, 2024, each law enforcement
  agency in this state shall adopt the policy required by Article
  2.1309(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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