HB 253 — Investigating a Death in a County Jail

Texas would set rules for investigating a death in a county jail.

By LeRoy Nellis — Tracked from public agency records

HB 253 would would set rules for investigating a death in a county jail.

County jails are where most people who die in custody are held before any conviction. A bill that changes jail rules can change what a family is told, how fast a death is investigated, and whether the record is public.

What the caption says, word for word

The official caption reads: “Relating to the investigation of the death of a county jail prisoner.” The author listed in the Legislature report is Collier. Last action is listed as H Filed on 11/09/2026. That is the whole record in the report; anything beyond those words is not in this summary.

What it would mean

In plain words, the caption says the state would create rules around the subject named in the caption — not a funding level, not a staffing count, and not a deadline. Only the history page will say whether any of that becomes law. The caption itself: “Relating to the investigation of the death of a county jail prisoner.”

Author: Collier. Filed: 11/09/2026.

What to watch next

The bill has only been filed. Filing is not passage. The Legislature history page at the link below carries the current status, and it is the only place to check whether the bill moves. Watch that page before telling anyone what the bill does.

Sources: Texas Legislature, Today's Filed Bills in the House (11/09/2026), HB 253 caption and author; Bill history for HB 253.

All Texas House Bills in this section

Full bill text (Introduced)

90R3285 JDK-D By: Collier H.B. No. 253 relating to the investigation of the death of a county jail prisoner.

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 511.021, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 511.021. INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF PRISONER DEATH [ OCCURRING IN COUNTY JAIL ].

SECTION 2. Section 511.021(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) On the death of a prisoner in the custody of a county jail, including a prisoner who is temporarily outside the county jail for medical treatment, transport, a court appearance, or another purpose, the commission shall , regardless of where the death occurred, appoint a law enforcement agency, other than the local law enforcement agency that operates the county jail, to investigate the death as soon as possible. Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (b), the appointed law enforcement agency shall conduct the investigation.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.

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