SB 15

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that there is currently no standardized procedure that law enforcement agencies in Texas follow when determining whether to release sensitive information relating to peace officers, such as background hiring information and documents relating to unsubstantiated alleged misconduct. The bill sponsor has also informed the committee that requirement of the confidentiality of this sensitive information is currently only applicable to an officer employed by the state under Chapter 411, Government Code, or an officer employed by a political subdivision that has adopted Chapter 143, Local Government Code. S.B. 15 seeks to protect the sensitive information of all peace officers in Texas by codifying provisions of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement's model policy on department files.