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Bill

HB 2136

Relating to design and use of a model criminal citation and an addendum to the citation.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Salman Bhojani and 4 co-sponsors

Texas HB 2136 mandates a statewide standardized criminal citation form design and optional addendum to improve consistency in law enforcement citation documentation.

Referred to Criminal Justice
#courtadministration #officeof(v8690) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #lawenforcement #texascommissionon(v0986) #lawenforcement(i0510)
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Bill Summary · HB 2136

Legislative bill overview

HB 2136 establishes a standardized model design for criminal citations used across Texas and creates an optional addendum to accompany these citations. The bill aims to create uniformity in how law enforcement documents and issues citations for criminal offenses throughout the state.

Why is this important

Standardized citation formats improve consistency in criminal justice administration, reduce errors in documenting charges, and may help streamline court processing. Uniform citations also protect defendant rights by ensuring all required information is clearly captured and communicated at the point of citation.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Law enforcement agencies may face expenses updating citation forms, training systems, and potentially new software across thousands of departments
  • One-size-fits-all concerns: Different jurisdictions have unique local needs and procedures that a single model may not adequately address
  • Addendum scope unclear: The bill's reference to an "addendum" lacks detail about what information it would contain and whether it creates additional burden on officers or departments

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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