Texas Scorecard by Emily Wilkerson January 24, 2023
The bills follow five different DAs saying they would not prosecute abortion crimes.Two Texas lawmakers are teaming up to rein in rogue district attorneys who refuse to enforce the law.
State Rep. David Cook (R–Mansfield) and State Sen. Tan Parker (R–Flower Mound) partnered together to file House Bill 1350 and Senate Bill 378, which would permit the attorney general to file suit against district attorneys, criminal district attorneys, and county attorneys who willfully disregard Texas law.
Both proposals state that “a prosecuting attorney may not adopt or enforce a policy under which the prosecuting attorney prohibits or materially limits the enforcement of any criminal offense.” The bills also mention that district attorneys cannot prohibit peace officers from enforcing any criminal offense.
The legislation comes after some district attorneys in cities around Texas claimed they will not prosecute abortion crimes. Notably, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garcia said last summer that he would not criminalize “personal health care decisions.” Parker and Cook are filing legislation to “rein in” district attorneys who disregard Texas law.
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/state/legislation-filed-to-rein-in-rogue-district-attorneys/
