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HB 4493

Relating to the duty of a peace officer to use a standardized lethality assessment protocol when investigating a family violence allegation or responding to a disturbance call that may involve family violence; providing training requirements for peace officers and reporting requirements for the Department of Public Safety.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Jo Jones

Texas bill mandates peace officers use standardized lethality assessment protocols for family violence calls with officer training and DPS reporting requirements.

Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
#familyviolencelethalityassessmentact(ps0wc) #family--familyviolence(i0353) #lawenforcement #texascommissionon(v0986) #lawenforcement(i0510) #peaceofficers(s0007) #publicsafety #departmentof(v0251) #staffdevelopment&training(s0317) #weapons(i0887)
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Bill Summary · HB 4493

Legislative bill overview

HB 4493 requires Texas peace officers to use a standardized lethality assessment protocol when responding to family violence allegations or disturbance calls that may involve family violence. The bill mandates training for officers on this protocol and establishes reporting requirements for the Department of Public Safety to track its implementation and outcomes.

Why is this important

Family violence calls are among the most dangerous situations police respond to, and lethality assessment tools are evidence-based instruments designed to identify high-risk situations where intimate partner homicide is more likely. Standardizing this approach across Texas could potentially prevent deaths, improve officer safety, and ensure more consistent response procedures statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource and training costs: Implementing mandatory statewide training for all peace officers requires significant funding and time investment, which may strain smaller police departments
  • Liability and discretion concerns: Standardized protocols may create legal liability if assessments are misapplied, and questions exist about how much officer discretion remains in decision-making
  • Effectiveness uncertainty: While lethality assessments show promise, evidence on their real-world effectiveness in preventing homicides versus reducing false positives/negatives remains mixed and evolving

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

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