Crafted by state Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, the bill, also known as House Bill 54, is in response to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office death-in-custody case of Ambler, a Black man who died in 2019 after he was Tased four times by deputies.
On the night of his death, the documentary series “Live PD” was present and recorded but did not air the event. That video has since been deleted due to a contractual clause that states unused footage is to be deleted after 30 days. The show, which has since been canceled, followed law enforcement officers live in the course of their nighttime patrols.
The bill passed in the Senate 27-3. It passed the House on April 15 with a 110-34 vote.
“Policing is not entertainment,” Talarico previously said. “I’m proud that Democrats and Republicans came together to pass this bill to protect our citizens and restore integrity in law enforcement.”