AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Senate on Thursday passed House Bill 54, better known as Javier Ambler’s 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.

The bill, authored by state Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, came following the 2019 in-custody death of 40-year-old Javier Ambler.

A camera crew for the since-canceled “Live PD” reality television shows was rolling on March 28, 2019 when Ambler was detained by Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies following a traffic violation and chase.

Ambler, who told deputies that he couldn’t breathe, was stunned multiple times by deputies via a Taser.

Ambler died.

Dashcam footage of the incident was captured but the “Live PD” footage was destroyed.

The incident led to a string of arrests. In September 2020, then-Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and Williamson County Attorney Jason Nassour were indicted and charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.

In March 2021 Travis County District Attorney José Garza announced the return of two indictments by a Travis County grand jury against former Williamson County Sheriff’s Office deputies James Johnson and Zachary Camden. Both were charged with second-degree manslaughter.

In October 2020, Ambler's family sued Williamson County and is seeking unspecified damages for Ambler’s parents as well as his two young sons.