TX HB2174

Authorizes sheriffs to suspend employees for up to 15 calendar days or terminate them for civil service rule violations, requiring a written statement to the commission within 120 hours that specifically identifies the rules violated and the alleged conduct

Requires suspended or terminated employees to be notified of their right to file a written appeal with the civil service commission within 10 days of receiving the statement; failure by the sheriff to specifically identify the alleged acts results in mandatory reinstatement

Allows sheriffs to offer voluntary suspensions of 16 to 90 calendar days with no right of appeal, which employees must accept in writing within five working days

Prohibits sheriffs from disciplining employees for acts occurring more than 180 days before the suspension or termination, except for acts related to criminal activity, which must be discovered within 180 days

Establishes a demotion process requiring sheriffs to submit written recommendations to the commission, which must hold a public hearing with at least 10 days' notice before ordering any involuntary demotion