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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a blue envelope program by the |
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Department of Public Safety to facilitate interactions between |
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peace officers and the public during motor vehicle stops and |
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requiring associated training for peace officers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as Brylee's Law. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 2B, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Subchapter D-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER D-1. BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM |
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Art. 2B.0171. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "motor |
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vehicle stop" has the meaning assigned by Article 2B.0051. |
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Art. 2B.0172. BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM. (a) The department |
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shall establish a blue envelope program under this subchapter to |
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facilitate interactions between an individual and a peace officer |
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during a motor vehicle stop. |
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(b) The department by rule shall design, produce, and make |
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available to the public: |
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(1) a standardized blue envelope into which an |
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individual detained for a motor vehicle stop may place a |
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standardized communication card described by Subdivision (2) and |
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documentation described by Subsection (c)(1) for presentation to a |
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peace officer during the motor vehicle stop; and |
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(2) a standardized communication card that an |
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individual may fill out to provide information regarding the |
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individual 's communication needs, accommodations, emergency |
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contacts, preferred methods of communication, and any other |
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information that may assist a peace officer during a motor vehicle |
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stop. |
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(c) The blue envelope developed under Subsection (b)(1) |
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must be: |
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(1) designed to be of sufficient size to hold an |
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individual's driver's license, if applicable, vehicle |
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registration, proof of insurance, and communication card described |
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by Subsection (b)(2) and any other relevant documents that an |
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individual may need to present to a peace officer during a motor |
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vehicle stop; and |
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(2) sturdy and readily recognizable. |
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(d) The department shall make available the blue envelopes |
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and communication cards developed under Subsection (b): |
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(1) on request by any individual; and |
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(2) at each driver's license office and other |
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locations determined appropriate by the department. |
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Art. 2B.0173. FUNDING. The department may use appropriated |
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funds and may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source |
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for purposes of the blue envelope program established under this |
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subchapter. |
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Art. 2B.0174. RULES. The department may adopt rules as |
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necessary to administer this subchapter. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (v) to read as follows: |
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(v) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the |
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commission shall establish a statewide education and training |
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program on the blue envelope program under Subchapter D-1, Chapter |
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2B, Code of Criminal Procedure, and best practices for recognizing |
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and interacting with individuals presenting a blue envelope during |
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motor vehicle stops. The commission may provide the training |
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required under this subsection as part of an existing training |
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program or as a separate training program. An officer shall |
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complete a program established under this subsection not later than |
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the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under |
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this chapter or the date the officer applies for an intermediate |
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proficiency certificate, whichever date is earlier. |
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SECTION 4. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective |
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date of this Act, the Department of Public Safety shall design and |
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produce the blue envelopes and communication cards as required by |
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Article 2B.0172, Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act. |
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(b) Not later than March 1, 2028, the Department of Public |
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Safety shall make the blue envelopes and communication cards |
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available to the public as required under Article 2B.0172, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. Not later than March 1, 2028, the Texas |
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Commission on Law Enforcement shall implement the training |
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requirements under Section 1701.253(v), Occupations Code, as added |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027. |