SRC-CDH S.B. 526 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 526
By: Patterson
Criminal Justice
2-23-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law contains no provisions regarding changes made to
offense or accident reports. Under this system, police officers who are
asked to alter an offense report by a superior officer receive little
protection.  This legislation allows an offense or arrest report to be
altered only if the change is made by a written supplement to the report
indicating the name of the person who originated the change in an attempt
to provide more security for police officers.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 526 establishes the procedure for making a change to an
offense report or accident report prepared by a peace officer.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Article 2.26, as follows: 

Art. 2.26.  CHANGING ACCIDENT REPORT.  Defines "accident report."
Authorizes an offense or accident report, if a peace officer prepares such
a report as part of the officer's official duties, to be changed only if
the change is made by a written supplement to the report and the written
supplement clearly indicates the name of the person who originated the
change. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.