TITLE: Relating to the dismissal of the department head of a police department in certain municipalities.

SUMMARY: Relating to the dismissal of the department head of a police department in certain municipalities.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the dismissal of the department head of a police department in certain municipalities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 143, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 143.0131 to read as follows: Sec. 143.0131. DISMISSAL OF DEPARTMENT HEAD OF CERTAIN POLICE DEPARTMENTS. (a) This section applies only to a municipality that has a population of more than 950,000. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, a municipality's chief executive may dismiss the head of the police department from the department for any or no reason. (c) A head of a police department dismissed under this section is not entitled to: (1) reinstatement or rights of seniority under Section 143.013(c); or (2) a hearing under Section 143.013(d). SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a dismissal made on or after the effective date of this Act. A dismissal made before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.