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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a grant program for law enforcement agencies to defray |
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the cost of data storage for recordings created with body worn |
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cameras. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter N, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1701.6521 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1701.6521. GRANTS FOR BODY WORN CAMERA DATA STORAGE. |
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(a) A law enforcement agency in this state that provides body worn |
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cameras to its peace officers may apply to the office of the |
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governor for a grant to defray the cost of data storage for |
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recordings created with the body worn cameras. |
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(b) The grant program established by this section may be |
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funded by federal funds or by gifts, grants, and donations. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 1701.658(a), (b), and (c), Occupations |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) If a law enforcement agency receives a grant under |
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Section 1701.652 [this subchapter], a peace officer who is employed |
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by the agency and who is on duty may only use a body worn camera that |
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is issued and maintained by that agency. |
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(b) Notwithstanding any previous policies, an agency may |
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not allow its peace officers to use privately owned body worn |
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cameras after receiving a grant described by this section [under |
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this subchapter]. |
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(c) A peace officer who is employed by a law enforcement |
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agency that has not received a grant described by this section or |
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who has not otherwise been provided with a body worn camera by the |
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agency that employs the officer may operate a body worn camera that |
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is privately owned only if permitted by the employing agency. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |