Bill Text: TX HB909 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to law enforcement misconduct and law enforcement interactions with certain detained or arrested individuals and other members of the public, to public entity liability for those interactions, and to the confinement, conviction, or release of detained or arrested individuals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HB909 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB909-Introduced.html

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89R2195 AJZ-F
By: Thompson H.B. No. 909

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to law enforcement misconduct and law enforcement
interactions with certain detained or arrested individuals and
other members of the public, to public entity liability for those
interactions, and to the confinement, conviction, or release of
detained or arrested individuals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the George Floyd Act.
SECTION 2. Title 5, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 118 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 118. PUBLIC ENTITY LIABILITY FOR DEPRIVATION OF CERTAIN
RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR IMMUNITIES UNDER COLOR OF LAW
Sec. 118.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by
Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) "Public entity" means:
(A) this state;
(B) a political subdivision of this state,
including a municipality or county; and
(C) any other governmental agency whose
authority is derived from the laws or constitution of this state.
(3) "Respondeat superior" means the common law
doctrine under which an employer is liable for the wrongful acts of
the employer's employee or agent.
Sec. 118.002. PUBLIC ENTITY RESPONSIBILITY. (a) For
purposes of this chapter:
(1) a public entity is a principal responsible for the
wrongful acts or omissions of the entity's peace officers;
(2) a peace officer is an agent of the public entity
that employs the officer; and
(3) a public entity is legally responsible for a
wrongful act or omission of the entity's peace officer if the act or
omission occurs under the color of law.
(b) This chapter constitutes acceptance by a public entity
employing a peace officer of responsibility under respondeat
superior for the officer's conduct under the color of law,
regardless of whether the officer acted in accordance with a policy
or custom of the entity.
Sec. 118.003. DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR
IMMUNITIES UNDER COLOR OF LAW. (a) An individual may bring an
action for any appropriate relief, including legal or equitable
relief, in a court of this state against a public entity on the
basis that a peace officer under the entity's employment, by an act
or omission under the color of law, deprived the individual of or
caused the individual to be deprived of a right, privilege, or
immunity under the laws or constitution of this state or the United
States.
(b) A claimant may recover in an action brought under this
chapter damages resulting from an injury arising from a deprivation
described by Subsection (a).
(c) A claimant must bring an action under this chapter not
later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues.
(d) A claimant bringing an action under this chapter bears
the burden of proving a deprivation of a right, privilege, or
immunity under the laws or constitution of this state or the United
States by a preponderance of the evidence.
Sec. 118.004. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Notwithstanding
any other law, a statutory immunity or limitation on liability,
damages, or attorney's fees does not apply to an action brought
under this chapter.
Sec. 118.005. PROHIBITED DEFENSES. A defendant in an
action brought under this chapter may not assert as a defense or
basis for immunity that:
(1) the right, privilege, or immunity under the laws
or constitution of this state or the United States was not clearly
established at the time of the deprivation by the peace officer;
(2) based on the state of the law at the time, the
peace officer could not have been expected, reasonably or
otherwise, to know whether the officer's conduct was lawful; or
(3) the peace officer acted in good faith or believed,
reasonably or otherwise, that the officer's conduct was lawful at
the time it was committed.
Sec. 118.006. JURISDICTION IN STATE COURT. (a) An action
under this chapter arises from the laws of this state.
(b) Jurisdiction over an action brought under this chapter
is in the judicial system of this state under the laws of this
state, including the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Sec. 118.007. JUDGMENT. (a) A judgment for an action
brought under this chapter must be supported by findings of fact and
conclusions of law.
(b) A peace officer may not be found financially liable in
an action brought under this chapter for a deprivation of a right,
privilege, or immunity under the laws or constitution of this state
or the United States.
Sec. 118.008. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS. (a) In an action
brought under this chapter, a court shall award reasonable
attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing claimant.
(b) Reasonable attorney's fees include fees incurred on an
hourly or contingency basis or by an attorney providing legal
services on a pro bono basis.
(c) For purposes of this section, a claimant prevails if the
claimant obtains any relief the claimant seeks in the claimant's
petition, whether the relief is obtained by judgment, settlement,
or the public entity's voluntary change in behavior.
(d) In an action brought under this chapter, if a judgment
is entered in favor of a defendant, the court may award reasonable
attorney's fees and costs to the defendant only for defending
claims the court finds frivolous.
Sec. 118.009. JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY. A defendant who
is found liable in an action brought under this chapter is jointly
and severally liable for damages, attorney's fees, and costs
awarded by the court.
Sec. 118.010. TERMINATION OF CONTRACT, AGREEMENT, OR
EMPLOYMENT. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, contract, or
agreement, a public entity may terminate a contract or agreement
with or the employment of a peace officer if the court finds in an
action brought under this chapter that the officer deprived a
claimant of a right, privilege, or immunity under the laws or
constitution of this state or the United States.
(b) A public entity's termination of a contract or agreement
with or the employment of a peace officer does not affect the
entity's liability in an action brought under this chapter.
Sec. 118.011. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. All petitions, judgments,
settlements, and consent decrees related to an action brought under
this chapter are public information subject to disclosure under
Chapter 552, Government Code.
Sec. 118.012. WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN OR GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY.
Sovereign or governmental immunity to suit and from liability is
waived to the extent of liability created by this chapter.
SECTION 3. Article 2A.051, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
Art. 2A.051. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF PEACE OFFICERS.
Each peace officer [shall]:
(1) shall preserve the peace within the officer's
jurisdiction using all lawful means;
(2) may, if authorized [in every case authorized by
this code], interfere without a warrant to prevent or suppress
crime;
(3) shall execute all lawful process issued to the
officer by a magistrate or court;
(4) shall give notice to an appropriate magistrate of
all offenses committed in the officer's jurisdiction, if [where]
the officer has probable cause [good reason] to believe there has
been a violation of the penal law;
(5) may, if [when] authorized [by law], arrest an
offender without a warrant so the offender may be taken before the
proper magistrate or court and be tried;
(6) shall take possession of a child under Article
63.00905(g) [63.009(g)]; [and]
(7) shall, on a request made by the Texas Civil
Commitment Office, execute an emergency detention order issued by
that office under Section 841.0837, Health and Safety Code;
(8) shall make an identification as a peace officer
before taking any action within the course and scope of the
officer's official duties unless the identification would render
the action impracticable; and
(9) shall intervene to prevent an action by another
peace officer if:
(A) the action includes the use of force in an
amount that exceeds that which is reasonable under the
circumstances;
(B) the intervening officer knows or should know
that the other officer's action violates department policy or
local, state, or federal law; or
(C) the action puts a person at risk of bodily
injury, as that term is defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, and is
not:
(i) immediately necessary to avoid imminent
bodily injury to a peace officer or other person; or
(ii) required to apprehend a person
suspected of committing an offense.
SECTION 4. Chapter 2B, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subchapter E-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E-1. CITATIONS AND ARRESTS
Art. 2B.0221. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "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.
Art. 2B.0222. CITE AND RELEASE POLICY. (a) Texas Southern
University, in consultation 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.
(b) 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 (a). A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy
published by Texas Southern University under Subsection (a).
SECTION 5. Subchapter F, Chapter 2B, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended by adding Article 2B.02505 to read as
follows:
Art. 2B.02505. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "law
enforcement agency" has the meaning assigned by Article 2B.0221.
SECTION 6. Article 2B.0252, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
Art. 2B.0252. USE OF NECK RESTRAINTS DURING SEARCH OR
ARREST PROHIBITED. A peace officer may not intentionally use a
choke hold, carotid artery hold, or similar neck restraint in
searching or arresting a person unless:
(1) the restraint is necessary to prevent serious
bodily injury to or the death of the officer or another person; and
(2) the officer discontinues the restraint as soon as
the threat of serious bodily injury or death described by
Subdivision (1) has passed.
SECTION 7. Subchapter F, Chapter 2B, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended by adding Article 2B.0254 to read as follows:
Art. 2B.0254. POLICY ON DE-ESCALATION AND PROPORTIONATE
RESPONSE. (a) Texas Southern University shall develop and make
available to all law enforcement agencies in this state a model
policy and associated training materials regarding the use of force
by peace officers. The model policy must be:
(1) designed to minimize the number and severity of
incidents in which peace officers use force; and
(2) consistent with the requirements of Subsection (d)
and the guiding principles on the use of force issued by the Police
Executive Research Forum.
(b) In developing a model policy under this section, Texas
Southern University shall consult with:
(1) law enforcement agencies and organizations,
including the Police Executive Research Forum and other national
experts on police management and training; and
(2) community organizations.
(c) On request of a law enforcement agency, Texas Southern
University shall provide the agency with training regarding the
policy developed under Subsection (a).
(d) Each law enforcement agency shall adopt a detailed
written policy regarding the use of force by peace officers. The
policy must:
(1) emphasize conflict de-escalation and the use of
force in a manner proportionate to the threat posed and to the
seriousness of the alleged offense;
(2) mandate that deadly force is only to be used by
peace officers as a last resort; and
(3) affirm the sanctity of human life and the
importance of treating all persons with dignity and respect.
(e) A law enforcement agency may adopt the model policy
developed by Texas Southern University under Subsection (a) or may
adopt its own policy.
SECTION 8. Article 2B.0301(b), Code of Criminal Procedure,
is amended to read as follows:
(b) The peace officer is not required to request emergency
medical services or provide first aid or treatment under Subsection
(a) if:
(1) making the request or providing the treatment
would expose the officer or another person to a likely risk of
serious bodily injury; or
(2) the officer is injured and physically unable to
make the request or provide the treatment.
SECTION 9. Article 14.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (b), a peace officer
or any other person may not, without a warrant, arrest an offender
for a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, other than an offense
under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Section 49.02,
Penal Code.
SECTION 10. Article 14.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
(i) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), (d), or (g), a peace
officer may not, without a warrant, arrest a person who only commits
one or more offenses punishable by fine only, other than an offense
under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code, or Section 49.02,
Penal Code.
SECTION 11. Article 14.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
read as follows:
(b) A peace officer who is charging a person, including a
child, with committing an offense that is a [Class C] misdemeanor
punishable by fine only, other than an offense under Section 49.02,
Penal Code, shall [may], instead of taking the person before a
magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains:
(1) written notice of the time and place the person
must appear before a magistrate;
(2) the name and address of the person charged;
(3) the offense charged;
(4) information regarding the alternatives to the full
payment of any fine or costs assessed against the person, if the
person is convicted of the offense and is unable to pay that amount;
and
(5) the following admonishment, in boldfaced or
underlined type or in capital letters:
"If you are convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving
violence where you are or were a spouse, intimate partner, parent,
or guardian of the victim or are or were involved in another,
similar relationship with the victim, it may be unlawful for you to
possess or purchase a firearm, including a handgun or long gun, or
ammunition, pursuant to federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section
922(g)(9) or Section 46.04(b), Texas Penal Code. If you have any
questions whether these laws make it illegal for you to possess or
purchase a firearm, you should consult an attorney."
(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a peace officer who
is charging a person, including a child, with committing an offense
that is a misdemeanor under Section 22.01(a)(2) or (3), Penal Code,
punishable by fine only may, instead of taking the person before a
magistrate, issue a citation to the person that contains all of the
information required for a citation issued under Subsection (b).
SECTION 12. The heading to Article 38.141, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
Art. 38.141. CORROBORATION REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN TESTIMONY
RELATING TO COVERT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY [OF UNDERCOVER PEACE
OFFICER OR SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR].
SECTION 13. Article 38.141(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,
is amended to read as follows:
(a) A defendant may not be convicted of an offense under
Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, on the testimony of a person
who is [not a licensed peace officer or a special investigator but
who is] acting covertly on behalf of a law enforcement agency or
under the color of law enforcement unless the testimony is
corroborated by other evidence tending to connect the defendant
with the offense committed.
SECTION 14. Subchapter B, Chapter 142, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 142.0605 to read as follows:
Sec. 142.0605. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a) A
public employer shall implement a progressive disciplinary matrix,
as described by Section 143.0511, for municipal police officers if
the municipality has not adopted Chapter 143.
(b) The public employer shall adopt rules necessary to
implement the progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 15. Section 142.067, Local Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 142.067. AGREEMENT SUPERSEDES CONFLICTING PROVISIONS.
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a [A] written meet and
confer agreement ratified under this subchapter preempts, during
the term of the agreement and to the extent of any conflict, all
contrary state statutes, local ordinances, executive orders, civil
service provisions, or rules adopted by the head of the law
enforcement agency or municipality or by a division or agent of the
municipality, such as a personnel board or a civil service
commission.
(b) An agreement under this subchapter:
(1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
matrix established under Section 142.0605 or 143.0511; and
(2) may not conflict with and does not supersede a
statute, ordinance, order, civil service provision, or rule
concerning the disciplinary actions that may be imposed on a police
officer under the progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 16. Section 143.003, Local Government Code, is
amended by adding Subdivision (6) to read as follows:
(6) "Progressive disciplinary matrix" means a formal
schedule for disciplinary actions that may be taken against a
police officer as described by Section 143.0511.
SECTION 17. Section 143.008, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to
read as follows:
(c) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe cause
for removal or suspension of a fire fighter [or police officer].
The rules must comply with the grounds for removal prescribed by
Section 143.051.
(c-1) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe the
disciplinary actions that may be taken against a police officer
under a progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 18. Subchapter D, Chapter 143, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 143.0511 to read as follows:
Sec. 143.0511. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a) The
commission shall implement a progressive disciplinary matrix for
infractions committed by police officers that consists of a range
of progressive disciplinary actions applied in a standardized way
based on the nature of the infraction and the officer's prior
conduct record, including removal, suspension, change of duty or
assignment, demotion, deduction of points from a promotional
examination grade, retraining, a written warning, or a written
reprimand.
(b) The progressive disciplinary matrix must include:
(1) standards for disciplinary actions relating to the
use of force against another person, including the failure to
de-escalate force incidents in accordance with departmental
policy;
(2) standards for evaluating the level of discipline
appropriate for uncommon infractions; and
(3) presumptive actions to be taken for each type of
infraction and any adjustment to be made based on a police officer's
previous disciplinary record.
SECTION 19. Section 143.057, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
read as follows:
(a) In addition to the other notice requirements prescribed
by this chapter, the written notice for a promotional bypass or the
letter of disciplinary action, as applicable, issued to a fire
fighter or police officer must state that in an appeal of an
indefinite suspension, a suspension, a promotional bypass, [or] a
recommended demotion, or, if issued to a police officer, any other
disciplinary sanction, the appealing fire fighter or police officer
may elect to appeal to an independent third party hearing examiner
instead of to the commission. The letter must also state that if
the fire fighter or police officer elects to appeal to a hearing
examiner, the person waives all rights to appeal to a district court
except as provided by Subsection (j).
(b-1) A hearing examiner must presume a disciplinary action
applied to a police officer under a progressive disciplinary matrix
is reasonable unless the facts indicate that the department
inappropriately applied a category of offense to the particular
violation.
SECTION 20. Section 143.307, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection
(d) to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] agreement
under this subchapter supersedes a previous statute concerning
wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours of work, or other terms and
conditions of employment to the extent of any conflict with the
statute.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] agreement
under this subchapter preempts any contrary statute, executive
order, local ordinance, or rule adopted by the state or a political
subdivision or agent of the state, including a personnel board, a
civil service commission, or a home-rule municipality.
(d) An agreement under this subchapter affecting police
officers:
(1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
matrix established under Section 143.0511; and
(2) may not conflict with and does not supersede a
statute, order, ordinance, or rule concerning the disciplinary
actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the
progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 21. Section 143.361, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection
(d) to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] written
agreement ratified under this subchapter between a public employer
and the bargaining agent supersedes a previous statute concerning
wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours of work, and other terms of
employment other than pension benefits to the extent of any
conflict with the previous statute.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] written
agreement ratified under this subchapter preempts all contrary
local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules adopted
by the state or a political subdivision or agent of the state, such
as a personnel board, a civil service commission, or a home-rule
municipality.
(d) An agreement under this subchapter affecting police
officers:
(1) must implement the progressive disciplinary
matrix established under Section 143.0511; and
(2) may not conflict with and does not supersede an
ordinance, order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary
actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the
progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 22. Section 174.005, Local Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 174.005. PREEMPTION OF OTHER LAW. (a) Except as
provided by Subsection (b), this [This] chapter preempts all
contrary local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules
adopted by the state or by a political subdivision or agent of the
state, including a personnel board, civil service commission, or
home-rule municipality.
(b) An agreement under this chapter may not conflict with an
ordinance, order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary
actions that may be imposed on municipal police officers under a
progressive disciplinary matrix implemented by the municipal
public employer.
SECTION 23. Section 174.006, Local Government Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), a [A] state or
local civil service provision prevails over a collective bargaining
contract under this chapter unless the collective bargaining
contract specifically provides otherwise.
(a-1) A collective bargaining contract affecting municipal
police officers may not conflict with a state or local civil service
provision implementing a progressive disciplinary matrix under
this chapter or other law.
SECTION 24. Subchapter B, Chapter 174, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 174.024 to read as follows:
Sec. 174.024. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY MATRIX FOR CERTAIN
POLICE OFFICERS. (a) A municipal public employer shall implement a
progressive disciplinary matrix, as described by Section 143.0511,
for municipal police officers if the municipality has not adopted
Chapter 143.
(b) The municipal public employer shall adopt rules
necessary to implement the progressive disciplinary matrix.
SECTION 25. Section 1701.2551(b), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The basic peace officer training course must include
training on:
(1) the prohibition against the intentional use of a
choke hold, carotid artery hold, or similar neck restraint during a
search or arrest by a peace officer as prescribed by Article
2B.0252, Code of Criminal Procedure [in searching or arresting a
person, unless the officer reasonably believes the restraint is
necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to or the death of the
peace officer or another person];
(2) the duty of a peace officer to intervene to stop or
prevent another peace officer from using force against a person
suspected of committing an offense if:
(A) the amount of force exceeds that which is
reasonable under the circumstances; and
(B) the officer knows or should know that the
other officer's use of force:
(i) violates state or federal law;
(ii) puts a person at risk of bodily injury,
as that term is defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, and is not
immediately necessary to avoid imminent bodily injury to a peace
officer or other person; and
(iii) is not required to apprehend the
person suspected of committing an offense; and
(3) the duty of a peace officer [who encounters an
injured person while discharging the officer's official duties] to
[immediately and as necessary] request [emergency medical services
personnel to provide the person with emergency medical services]
and render [, while waiting for emergency medical services
personnel to arrive, provide first] aid for an injured [or
treatment to the] person as prescribed by Article 2B.0301, Code of
Criminal Procedure [to the extent of the officer's skills and
training, unless the request for emergency medical services
personnel or the provision of first aid or treatment would expose
the officer or another person to a risk of bodily injury or the
officer is injured and physically unable to make the request or
provide the treatment].
SECTION 26. Section 1701.269(b), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The model training curriculum and model policies
developed under Subsection (a) must include curriculum and policies
regarding:
(1) the prohibition against the intentional
[curriculum and policies for banning the] use of a choke hold,
carotid artery hold, or similar neck restraint during a search or
arrest by a peace officer as prescribed by Article 2B.0252, Code of
Criminal Procedure [in searching or arresting a person, unless the
officer reasonably believes the restraint is necessary to prevent
serious bodily injury to or the death of the peace officer or
another person];
(2) [curriculum and policies regarding] the duty of a
peace officer to intervene to stop or prevent another peace officer
from using force against a person suspected of committing an
offense if:
(A) the amount of force exceeds that which is
reasonable under the circumstances; and
(B) the officer knows or should know that the
other officer's use of force:
(i) violates state or federal law;
(ii) puts a person at risk of bodily injury,
as that term is defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, and is not
immediately necessary to avoid imminent bodily injury to a peace
officer or other person; and
(iii) is not required to apprehend the
person suspected of committing an offense; and
(3) [curriculum and policies regarding] the duty of a
peace officer [who encounters an injured person while discharging
the officer's official duties] to [immediately and as necessary]
request [emergency medical services personnel to provide the person
with emergency medical services] and render [, while waiting for
emergency medical services personnel to arrive, provide first] aid
for an injured [or treatment to the] person as prescribed by Article
2B.0301, Code of Criminal Procedure [to the extent of the officer's
skills and training, unless the request for emergency medical
services personnel or the provision of first aid or treatment would
expose the officer or another person to a risk of bodily injury or
the officer is injured and physically unable to make the request or
provide the treatment].
SECTION 27. Sections 9.51(a), (b), (c), and (d), Penal
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) A peace officer, or a person acting in a peace officer's
presence and at the officer's [his] direction, is justified in
using nonlethal force against another when and to the degree [the
actor reasonably believes] the force is immediately necessary to
make or assist in making an arrest or search, or to prevent or
assist in preventing escape after arrest, if:
(1) the actor reasonably believes the arrest or search
is lawful or, if the arrest or search is made under a warrant, the
actor [he] reasonably believes the warrant is valid; [and]
(2) before using force, the actor:
(A) manifests the actor's [his] purpose to arrest
or search and identifies the actor [himself] as a peace officer or
as a person [one] acting at a peace officer's direction, unless the
actor [he] reasonably believes the actor's [his] purpose and
identity are already known by or cannot reasonably be made known to
the person for whom the arrest or search is authorized;
(B) attempts to de-escalate the situation; and
(C) issues a warning that force will be used;
(3) the force used is proportionate to the threat
posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense;
(4) the actor immediately terminates the use of force
the moment the person against whom force is used becomes compliant
or is subdued; and
(5) the use of force does not present a serious risk of
injury to any person other than the actor or the person against whom
the force is used [to be arrested].
(b) A person who is not [other than] a peace officer [(] or
[one] acting at a peace officer's [his] direction [)] is justified
in using nonlethal force against another when and to the degree [the
actor reasonably believes] the force is immediately necessary to
make or assist in making a lawful arrest, or to prevent or assist in
preventing escape after lawful arrest if:
(1) [,] before using force, the actor:
(A) manifests the actor's [his] purpose to arrest
and the reason for the arrest or reasonably believes the actor's
[his] purpose and the reason are already known by or cannot
reasonably be made known to the person for whom arrest is
authorized;
(B) attempts to de-escalate the situation; and
(C) issues a warning that force will be used;
(2) the force used is proportionate to the threat
posed and to the seriousness of the alleged offense;
(3) the actor immediately terminates the use of force
the moment the person against whom force is used becomes compliant
or is subdued; and
(4) the use of force does not present a serious risk of
injury to any person other than the actor or the person against whom
the force is used [to be arrested].
(c) A peace officer is only justified in using deadly force
against another when and to the degree [the peace officer
reasonably believes] the deadly force is immediately necessary to
make an arrest, or to prevent escape after arrest, if the use of
force would have been justified under Subsection (a) and:
(1) [the actor reasonably believes the conduct for
which arrest is authorized included the use or attempted use of
deadly force; or
[(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a
substantial risk that] the person for whom arrest is authorized
poses an imminent threat of [to be arrested will cause] death or
serious bodily injury to the actor or another;
(2) the deadly force is used only against the person
for whom arrest is authorized;
(3) the actor immediately terminates the use of deadly
force the moment the imminent threat of death or serious bodily
injury is eliminated; and
(4) no lesser degree of force could have eliminated
the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury [if the arrest
is delayed].
(d) A person who is not [other than] a peace officer but is
acting in a peace officer's presence and at the officer's [his]
direction is justified in using deadly force against another when
and to the degree [the person reasonably believes] the deadly force
is immediately necessary to make a lawful arrest, or to prevent
escape after a lawful arrest, if the use of force would have been
justified under Subsection (b) and:
(1) [the actor reasonably believes the felony or
offense against the public peace for which arrest is authorized
included the use or attempted use of deadly force; or
[(2) the actor reasonably believes there is a
substantial risk that] the person for whom arrest is authorized
poses an imminent threat of [to be arrested will cause] death or
serious bodily injury to another;
(2) the deadly force is used only against the person
for whom arrest is authorized;
(3) the actor immediately terminates the use of deadly
force the moment the imminent threat of death or serious bodily
injury is eliminated; and
(4) no lesser degree of force could have eliminated
the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury [if the arrest
is delayed].
SECTION 28. Subchapter E, Chapter 9, Penal Code, is amended
by adding Section 9.515 to read as follows:
Sec. 9.515. PROHIBITED TECHNIQUES. Notwithstanding any
other law, the use of force or deadly force against a person is not
justified under Section 9.51 if the force or deadly force is used in
a manner that impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the
blood of the person by applying pressure to the person's throat or
neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth.
SECTION 29. 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 30. 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 31. The following laws are repealed:
(1) Article 2B.0253(a)(2), Code of Criminal
Procedure;
(2) Article 38.141(c), Code of Criminal Procedure; and
(3) Section 9.51(e), Penal Code.
SECTION 32. Chapter 118, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues
on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 33. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, Texas
Southern University shall publish the model policies required by
Articles 2B.0222(a) and 2B.0254(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, as
added by this Act.
(b) Not later than March 1, 2026, each law enforcement
agency in this state shall adopt the policies required by Articles
2B.0222(b) and 2B.0254(d), Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by
this Act.
SECTION 34. Articles 14.01, 14.03, and 14.06, Code of
Criminal Procedure, as amended by this Act, Section 9.515, Penal
Code, as added by this Act, and Sections 543.001 and 543.004,
Transportation Code, as amended 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 35. Article 38.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
amended by this Act, applies to any case in which a judgment is
entered on or after the effective date of this Act. A case in which
a judgment is entered before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the judgment was entered,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 36. The changes in law made by this Act to the Local
Government Code apply only to a disciplinary action for conduct
that occurs on or after March 1, 2026. Conduct that occurs before
that date is governed by the law in effect immediately before that
date, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 37. Sections 142.067(b), 143.307(d), 143.361(d),
174.005(b), and 174.006(a-1), Local Government Code, as added by
this Act, apply only to an agreement entered into or renewed on or
after March 1, 2026. An agreement entered into or renewed before
March 1, 2026, is governed by the law in effect on the date the
agreement was entered into or renewed, and the former law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 38. (a) The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement
Management Institute of Texas shall consult with law enforcement
agencies of all sizes, law enforcement associations, law
enforcement training experts, and appropriate organizations
engaged in the development of law enforcement policy to develop a
model progressive disciplinary matrix, as defined by Section
143.003(6), Local Government Code, as added by this Act, and
associated training materials regarding the application of that
matrix. The institute shall provide for a period of public comment
before adopting the model progressive disciplinary matrix and
training materials.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2026, the institute shall
adopt and disseminate the model progressive disciplinary matrix and
training materials to all law enforcement agencies and civil
service commissions in this state.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2026.
SECTION 39. Section 9.51, Penal Code, as amended by this
Act, applies only to use of force that occurs on or after March 1,
2026.
SECTION 40. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.