84R11034 TSR-F

By: Whitmire S.B. No. 1256

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to notice requirements for certain meetings or hearings in fire or police departments in certain municipalities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 143.1014, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 143.1014. NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN MEETINGS OR HEARINGS. (a) The department shall provide to a fire fighter or police officer notice of the time and location of a meeting or hearing not later than the 48th hour before the hour on which the meeting or hearing is held if the meeting or hearing is:

(1) related to an internal departmental or other municipal investigation of the fire fighter or police officer at which the fire fighter or police officer is required or entitled to be present, including an interrogation under Section 143.123;

(2) related to a grievance filed by the fire fighter or police officer under Sections 143.127 through 143.134; or

(3) an opportunity to respond to charges against the fire fighter or police officer before the department terminates the fire fighter's or police officer's employment.

(b) The notice required to be provided to a fire fighter under Subsection (a) must be personally delivered to the fire fighter or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last home address provided by the fire fighter.

(c) A fire fighter or police officer may waive the notice prescribed by this section.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act to Section 143.1014, Local Government Code, applies to a notice required to be provided under that section on or after the effective date of this Act. A notice required to be provided before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.