Bill > HB5228

This bill requires the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) to enhance the collection, management, and transparency of incident-based data reported by law enforcement agencies. Specifically, TCOLE must develop guidelines for submitting standardized incident reports and create policies to ensure data quality and accuracy. The commission will be required to review and potentially revise these guidelines every two years to support academic research. Additionally, TCOLE must publish the incident-based data on its public website, making it accessible to the public while protecting confidential information, and provide a glossary to help people understand the data. The bill also mandates a comprehensive study on improving incident-based data collection, which will explore ways to enhance data quality, reduce redundant reporting, and potentially expand data collection to include more details about police-public encounters, such as pedestrian detentions. The commission must report its study findings to state leadership by January 1, 2027, with the study and its reporting requirements expiring on September 1, 2027. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, giving TCOLE time to prepare for these new requirements.

Justice, Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5228