SRC-HRD S.B. 928 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 928 By: Gallegos Intergovernmental Relations 3-27-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law provides general provisions on benefits and working conditions of municipal employees, as well as rules to be administered by the Civil Service Commission and rules for employment as firefighters and police officers in certain municipalities. S.B. 928 would make changes in terminology regarding hours worked, add an additional college hours prerequisite to the beginning positions, and extend the probationary period. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 928 increases the number of credit hours a person must have to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a fire department; sets forth provisions regarding a probationary period for persons appointed to beginning positions in police or fire departments; authorizes the head of a fire department to require all firefighters in one or more classifications to obtain and maintain emergency medical services personnel certification; and also replaces references to "a calendar year" with "the appropriate 72-day work cycle." 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 Sections 142.0017(b) and (d), Local Government Code, to prohibit a fire fighter or fire fighter emergency medical personnel from being required or permitted to work more than an average of 46.7 hours a week during the appropriate 72-day work cycle, rather than during a calendar year. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 143.027(a), Local Government Code, to provide that this subsection does not apply to a municipality with a population of 1.5 million or more. SECTION 3. Amends Section 143.1051, Local Government Code, to require a person to meet certain requirements in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements prescribed by Section 143.023, to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a fire department. SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 143G, Local Government Code, by adding Section 143.1052, as follows: Sec. 143.1052. PROBATIONARY PERIOD. Requires a person appointed to a beginning position in the police department to serve a probationary period of one year beginning on that person's date of employment as a police officer or academy trainee. Requires a person appointed to a beginning position in the fire department to serve a probationary period beginning on the date of that person's assignment to a fire station and continuing until the person has completed 2,200 hours of work on duty. SECTION 5. Amends Chapter 143G, Local Government code, by adding Section 143.1096, as follows: Sec. 143.1096. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES CERTIFICATION IN FIRE DEPARTMENT. Authorizes the head of the fire department to require all fire fighters in one or more classifications to obtain and maintain emergency medical services personnel certification under Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code. Authorizes the head of the fire department to impose any discipline allowed under this chapter, including an indefinite suspension, on a fire fighter who fails or refuses to comply within a reasonable time with an order of the department head issued under this section. SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 7. Emergency clause.