BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 2212

 

By: West et al.

 

Jurisprudence

 

6/7/2021

 

Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Through ongoing dialogue with legislative leaders and stakeholders during the 87th Session, S.B. 2212 was developed and if passed into law, will illustrate the role of law enforcement as public servants. S.B. 2212 codifies practices that are in place in many Texas law enforcement agencies.

 

The bill requires an officer to immediately request emergency medical assistance for injured persons they encounter during the course of their official duties. S.B. 2212 also requires officers, to the extent possible given their proficiency and training, to provide first aid or treatment for injured persons.

 

S.B. 2212 protects officers, saying that medical assistance is not required if doing so would place officers or others in danger of injury.

 

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 2212 amends current law relating to the duty of a peace officer to request and render aid for an injured person.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly 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 2.33, as follows:

 

Art. 2.33. DUTY TO REQUEST AND RENDER AID. (a) Requires a peace officer who encounters an injured person while discharging the officer's official duties, except as provided by Subsection (b), to immediately and as necessary request emergency medical services personnel to provide the person with emergency medical services and, while waiting for emergency medical services personnel to arrive, provide first aid or treatment to the person to the extent of the officer's skill and training.

 

(b) Provides that the peace officer is not required to request emergency medical services or provide first aid or treatment under Subsection (a) 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.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021. �