Bill > SB1421

This bill establishes new legal provisions regarding less-lethal force weapons for law enforcement officers in Texas. It defines a "less-lethal force weapon" as a projectile-based device designed to temporarily incapacitate a target while minimizing the risk of serious injury or death, including stun guns. The bill provides a legal defense for peace officers or correctional facility guards who use less-lethal force weapons, protecting them from prosecution if they can demonstrate that their use of the weapon was reasonably necessary to accomplish their official duties and complied with specific guidelines, including their agency's policies, training, manufacturer instructions, and existing state law. The bill also requires law enforcement agencies to establish comprehensive policies around less-lethal force weapons, mandating that agencies provide at least one such weapon per on-duty officer and develop specific use-of-force policies. Additionally, the bill stipulates that officers must be trained on each less-lethal weapon they are assigned and maintain ongoing certifications. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that less-lethal force weapons cannot be used outside of an agency's approved policy or beyond what is permissible under existing state law. The provisions will apply to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date, which will be either immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote in the Texas Legislature or September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1421