Texas governor signs Javier Ambler’s Law, barring law enforcement from teaming up with reality TV
Shows like “Live PD,” “Cops,” were canceled over the summer amid nationwide protests
Tags: Javier Ambler s law would keep police departments from striking deals with reality TV crews. (KSAT)
Two years after he died during a violent arrest at the hands of Williamson County sheriff’s deputies, Javier Ambler’s name is now enshrined in Texas law.
On Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 54, also known as Javier Ambler’s Law. Effective immediately, Texas law enforcement departments cannot authorize a television crew to film them for the purpose of creating reality television.
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Javier Ambler, 40, died while being arrested by police in Texas in March 2019.
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A new law in Texas will prevent reality TV shows from partnering with state law enforcement, after a man died in 2019 while in police custody as cameras from the show Live PD filmed his arrest.
Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Javier Ambler Act into law on Wednesday, effective immediately.
The bill passed in the Texas House 110 to 34 on April 15 and passed in the Senate on May 13 with a 27 to 3 vote.
The law, named for a Black man who died after being tasered by Williamson County deputies, would prohibit law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts with reality television shows.
In this image made from a March 28, 2019, body-worn camera video provided by the Austin Police Department in Texas, Williamson County deputies hold down Javier Ambler as one of them uses a Taser on Amblerâs back during his arrest in Austin, Texas. (Austin Police Department via AP)
Texas Senate passes Javier Amblerâs Law; bill awaiting governorâs signature By Craig Huber Austin
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AUSTIN, Texas â The Texas Senate on Thursday passed House Bill 54, better known as Javier Amblerâs Law.
If signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, which remains to be seen, the bill would prevent state and local law enforcement from entering into contracts with reality shows.
A proposed law named for a 40-year-old Black man whose deadly encounter with Williamson County sheriff’s deputies sparked questions about reality TV in American policing won overwhelming support Thursday in the Texas Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk.
The Javier Ambler Law bans law enforcement agencies from contracting with shows, such as the now-canceled but long-running series “COPS” and the defunct show “Live PD,” which was filming with Williamson County deputies the night Javier Ambler II died.
The measure, which passed the Senate in a 27-3 vote with no discussion, had already passed the Texas House and received resounding bipartisan support.