AN ACT

 1-1     relating to the certification of peace officers as special officers

 1-2     for mental health assignment.

 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Subsection (a), Section 415.037, Government Code,

 1-5     is amended to read as follows:

 1-6           (a)  The commission may certify a sheriff, sheriff's deputy,

 1-7     justice of the peace, constable, or other peace [municipal police]

 1-8     officer as a special officer for mental health assignment if the

 1-9     peace officer has:

1-10                 (1)  successfully completed a training course in

1-11     emergency first aid and lifesaving techniques approved by the

1-12     commission;

1-13                 (2)  successfully completed a training course in mental

1-14     health issues administered by the commission; and

1-15                 (3)  passed an examination administered by the

1-16     commission that is designed to test the officer's:

1-17                       (A)  knowledge and recognition of the symptoms of

1-18     mental illness and mental disabilities; and

1-19                       (B)  knowledge of mental health crisis

1-20     intervention strategies.

1-21           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

1-22           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-23     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-1     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-2     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-3     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 12 passed the Senate on

         May 5, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 12 passed the House on

         May 21, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

         Approved:

         _______________________________

                     Date

         _______________________________

                   Governor