Senate committee hears sharp divide over changing mandatory outside investigations of jail deaths

Senate Bill 11 99, which would limit the automatic requirement for an outside law‑enforcement investigation of county jail deaths ruled natural causes, prompted contentious testimony Tuesday before the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice.

Sponsor Senator Brian Birdwell said the change would align county jail practice with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which does not require an outside criminal investigation when an inmate dies of natural causes, and would reduce the burden on the Texas Rangers. "This bill seeks to reform the regulations regarding custodial deaths of inmates in county jails by removing the automatic requirement for an outside agency investigation for deaths of natural causes," Birdwell said.

Opponents included family members of people who died in custody, civil‑rights and public‑safety groups, and local pastors and activists. Kathy Mitchell of Equity Action said every custodial death, including natural deaths, "may well be attributable to the action or inaction of the state," and she urged retention of independent review requirements. Nan Terry, a Tarrant County resident, told the committee that more than 85 percent of deaths in Tarrant County custody are reported as natural and urged investigations to identify systemic failures.

Former and current advocates and family members described cases they said demonstrated the necessity of independent investigations. Ryan Price, a Fort Worth pastor, cited Robert Miller and Georgia Baldwin — deaths initially ruled natural that were later alleged to involve excessive force or neglect — and asked lawmakers to keep independent investigations as required under the Sandra Bland Act.

Brandon Wood, executive director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, said the commission is available to work with the committee and suggested there may be legislative language that strikes a balance between investigative burdens on the Rangers and the need for independent scrutiny.

Senator Birdwell said he would work with stakeholders on a committee substitute to quantify or narrow the bill to address expressed concerns. The committee held the bill pending.

Ending: No vote was taken; the committee left SB 11 99 pending and agreed to further work with stakeholders on language to balance oversight and resources.