By Gallegos S.B. No. 1538 76R5702 KLA-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to alternative dispute resolution procedures in certain 1-3 police departments. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 143, Local Government Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 143.135 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 143.135. MEDIATION. (a) In this section, "mediation" 1-8 has the meaning assigned by Section 154.023, Civil Practice and 1-9 Remedies Code. 1-10 (b) The head of the police department may develop and 1-11 implement an alternative dispute resolution program to refer 1-12 certain disputes regarding police officers to mediation. Disputes 1-13 referred under this subsection may involve: 1-14 (1) a grievance filed by a police officer; or 1-15 (2) a dispute regarding a disciplinary action taken 1-16 against a police officer. 1-17 (c) If a dispute is referred to mediation under this 1-18 section, the time limitations and deadlines under Sections 1-19 143.1015, 143.1016, 143.117, 143.118, 143.119, 143.120, 143.127, 1-20 and 143.134 are tolled until the earlier of: 1-21 (1) the date on which the parties reach a settlement 1-22 and execute a written agreement disposing of the dispute; 1-23 (2) the date on which the mediator refers the dispute 1-24 to another appeals or grievance procedure under this subchapter; or 2-1 (3) the 60th day after the date on which the dispute 2-2 was referred to mediation. 2-3 (d) Chapter 154, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and 2-4 police department rules and guidelines related to mediation or 2-5 alternative dispute resolution apply to a mediation conducted under 2-6 this section. 2-7 (e) Section 2008.054, Government Code, as added by Chapter 2-8 934, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, and, 2-9 except as provided by Subsection (b) of that section, Sections 2-10 154.053 and 154.073, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, apply to the 2-11 communications, records, conduct, and demeanor of the mediator and 2-12 the parties. 2-13 (f) A written agreement that disposes of a dispute referred 2-14 to mediation under this section is subject to required disclosure, 2-15 is excepted from required disclosure, or is confidential in 2-16 accordance with other law. 2-17 (g) Section 143.1014 does not apply to a meeting or hearing 2-18 conducted under this section. 2-19 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-20 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-21 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-22 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-23 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-24 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.