By: Talarico, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Whitmire) H.B. No. 54

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 19, 2021; April 19, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; May 6, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 6, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to accompanying and filming peace officers of state and local law enforcement agencies for producing reality television programs.

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

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as Javier Ambler's Law.

SECTION 2. Chapter 614, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter M to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER M. ACCOMPANYING OR FILMING OF PEACE OFFICERS

Sec. 614.231. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Law enforcement agency" means an agency of this state or a political subdivision of this state that employs peace officers other than game wardens.

(2) "Reality television program" means a nonfictional television program that features the same live subjects over the course of more than one episode primarily for entertainment purposes, but does not include reporting on a matter of public concern by a journalist as defined by Article 38.11, Code of Criminal Procedure.

Sec. 614.232. ACCOMPANYING AND FILMING PEACE OFFICERS FOR REALITY TELEVISION PROGRAM PROHIBITED. A law enforcement agency may not authorize a person to accompany and film a peace officer acting in the line of duty for the purpose of producing a reality television program.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

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