Texas Utilities Code

§ 186.021 — EMERGENCY INVOLVING HOSTAGE OR ARMED SUSPECT

UT § 186.021Title 4. DELIVERY OF UTILITY SERVICES · Part B. PROVISIONS REGULATING DELIVERY OF SERVICES · Ch. 186. PROVISIONS TO ENSURE THE RELIABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF UTILITY SERVICE · Art. B. MANIPULATION OF SERVICE FOR CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES

Statute text

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(a)In an emergency in which the supervising law enforcement official having jurisdiction in the geographical area has probable cause to believe that an armed and barricaded suspect or a person holding a hostage is committing a crime, the supervising law enforcement official may order a designated telephone company security official to cut or otherwise control telephone lines to prevent telephone communication by the armed suspect or the hostage holder with a person other than a peace officer or person authorized by a peace officer.

(b)The serving telephone company in the geographical area of a law enforcement unit shall designate a telephone company security official and an alternate to provide all required assistance to law enforcement officials to carry out this section.

(c)Good faith reliance on an order given by a supervising law enforcement official under this section is a complete defense to a civil or criminal action brought against a telephone company or the company's director, officer, agent, or employee as a result of compliance with the order.

Legislative history

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.