BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2212

By: West

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

While many law enforcement agencies in Texas have policies that require peace officers to request and render aid to an injured person, there is no statewide requirement for peace officers to do so. It has been suggested that because officers are public servants, this should be a function that all officers undertake, provided that doing so would not place the officer in danger. S.B. 2212 seeks to establish a duty for officers statewide to request and render aid for injured persons they encounter while discharging their official duties, with certain exceptions for the officer's health and safety.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2212 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a peace officer who encounters an injured person while discharging the officer's official duties to immediately and as necessary request emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to provide the person with emergency medical services and, while waiting for EMS personnel to arrive, provide first aid or treatment to the person to the extent of the officer's skill and training. The bill establishes that the officer is not required to request emergency medical services or provide first aid or treatment if making the request or providing the treatment would expose the officer or another person to a risk of bodily injury or if the officer is injured and physically unable to make the request or provide the treatment.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.