BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1348
80R9452 CAE-F By: Patrick, Dan
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
High speed chases through the city streets of Texas are an all too familiar occurrence. With more and more cities adopting "do not chase" policies or positions in order to avoid costly litigation, peace officers are placed in the position of letting a criminal go simply because he fled. Peace officers are trained and must use their best judgment on a daily basis in many life threatening situations.
As proposed, S.B. 1348 provides cities and counties with protection from liability when a peace officer is engaged in the pursuit of a person evading arrest in a motor vehicle, provided the officer's action is not taken with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 101.055, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as follows:
Sec. 101.055. CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. Sets forth certain claims to which this chapter does not apply, including a claim that arises from the action of a peace officer engaged in the pursuit of a motor vehicle, if the action is not taken with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.