Bill > HB2917

This bill, titled the Thurgood Marshall Criminal Justice Reform Act, makes several changes to existing laws in Texas related to peace officers and the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses. The key provisions include: 1. Creating a new chapter in the Civil Practice and Remedies Code that allows individuals to sue peace officers who, under the color of law, deprive them of rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Texas Constitution. This chapter also requires public entities to indemnify peace officers for liability incurred in such lawsuits, except in cases where the officer was convicted of a criminal violation. 2. Amending the Code of Criminal Procedure to give grand jury forepersons the authority to prevent people from displaying visible support for those involved in the prosecution of an offense, and to clarify that grand jury proceedings are secret except when a court orders disclosure. 3. Increasing the eligibility requirements to serve as a counselor for the Special Prosecution Unit, which prosecutes offenses committed on state property. 4. Establishing new hiring requirements for municipal police departments, including requiring applicants to pass an examination on implicit bias and have at least an associate's degree or higher. 5. Prohibiting municipal police departments from hiring officers who were terminated or resigned in lieu of termination for the unjustified use of deadly force. 6. Requiring community involvement in the collective bargaining and meet-and-confer processes between municipalities and police officer associations. 7. Amending the Penal Code to limit the use of force by peace officers and other individuals to only nonlethal force, with specific requirements around de-escalation and proportionality.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB2917