Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 815 amends the Government Code and Occupations Code to require the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, on request of the next of kin following the death of a peace officer or former peace officer from whatever cause, to provide a state flag at no cost and notify the governor's office of the death. It provides that the governor is also to send the next of kin a certificate expressing condolences and gratitude for the services of the deceased. Other provisions require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to sell state flags to the commission at cost, and require a funeral director who prepares a peace officer for burial or other disposition to make every effort to notify the next of kin of eligibility for a flag.

            A Health and Safety Code amendment relating to vital statistics records requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to include on its death registration form a question as to whether the deceased was ever a Texas peace officer. The bill allows TDH to postpone implementation of that change until the next time that it otherwise requires a revision to the form.