BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2242

By: Dutton

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It can be difficult in some civil rights lawsuits to identify who within a county, including Harris County, is a final policy maker on law enforcement decisions for the county. H.B. 2242 seeks to address this issue by designating a constable as a final policy maker for those decisions for purpose of a claim under federal civil rights law, 42 U.S.C. 1983.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2242 amends the Local Government Code to establish a constable as a final policy maker on law enforcement decisions for the constable's county for the purpose of a civil rights action brought under federal civil rights law. The bill applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.