The Sandra Bland Act Just Became Law In Texas

SayHerName.

Updated June 20 at 7:20 a.m.:

The Texas Tribune reported that the Sandra Bland Act was signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on June 15, which mandates that county jails in the state must divert those living with mental illness and substance use issues to a facility that provides treatment instead. The law, which takes effect on September 1, also requires an independent law agencies to review jail deaths of such individuals, who now also will have better access to a personal bond if detained. The Texas Tribune reported that the bill requires de-escalation training for officers and passed in the Texas House and Senate to no opposition, though it initially required greater accountability for law enforcement and the language was stripped.

The state trooper who pulled Bland over, Brian Encinia, was indicted on a perjury charge and fired from his position in March 2016.

Previously...

One of the guards at the jail where 28-year-old Sandra Bland died last year said he falsified jail logs, indicating that he had checked on her within the hour before she died when he really hadn’t, Sandra’s mother’s lawyer said, according to news reports.

The Houston Chronicle reported on July 21, 2016, that the lawyer for Sandra’s mom said the Waller County Jail guard told him this information under oath. However, the Waller County lawyer who was also there at the deposition “challenged” this claim, The Houston Chronicle said.

Sandra Bland is a black woman who was pulled over while driving and arrested on July 10, 2015, for not using a turn signal. The police officer who arrested her said she was combative during the traffic stop (though dash cam evidence paints a different story), and she was forced to the ground, handcuffed, and put in jail for allegedly assaulting a police officer. Three days later, on July 13, in jail, she was found dead from hanging; a medical examiner said it was a suicide, and no charges were pressed against the jail.

Bland's mother has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Waller County and some of its employees. Sandra's death sparked outrage and protests, particularly as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. She also inspired the #SayHerName hashtag that aims to bring awareness to the deaths of black women after encountering the police.

For the full story, check out The Houston Chronicle.

Related: 10 Things You Can Do To Help Black Lives Matter End Police Violence

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