SRC-CDH C.S.S.B. 12 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 12
By: Luna
Criminal Justice
4-29-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, only a sheriff, sheriff's deputy, justice of the peace,
constable, or a municipal police officer can obtain certification as a
special officer for mental health assignment.  This legislation adds peace
officers to the list of eligible officers, and removes municipal police
officers.  All officers must meet the same criteria and training to be
certified for mental health assignment.     

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 12 provides for the certification of peace officers
as special officers for mental health assignment. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 415.037(a), Government Code, to authorize the
Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education to certify a
sheriff, sheriff's deputy, justice of the peace, constable, or other peace
officer as a special officer for mental health assignment if the peace
officer has completed certain requirements. 

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.  

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends the relating clause to replace the reference to "certain police
officers" with "peace officers." 

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 415.037(a), Government Code, to authorize the commission to
certify a peace officer, rather than a police officer commissioned by a
school district or institution of higher education, as a special officer
for mental health assignment.