SRC-JBJ S.B. 455 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 455
77R4571 GJH-DBy: Armbrister
Criminal Justice
2/6/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current Texas law requires the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers
Standards and Education (commission) to establish the minimum
qualifications for a person to enroll in a training program for basic peace
officer and jailer licenses.  The commission currently sets these
requirements for initial licensure of peace officers at obtaining a high
school diploma, a general education development (GED) test indicating high
school graduation level, or 12 semester hours' credit from an accredited
college or university.  As proposed, S.B. 455 prohibits a person from
enrolling in a peace officer training program unless the person has
received a high school diploma, or a GED and 12 semester hours credit with
a minimum grade point average from an accredited college or university. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 1701.255, Occupation Code, by adding Subsection
(c), as follows: 

(c)  Prohibits a person from enrolling in a peace officer training program
under Section 1701.251(a) unless the person has met certain specific
criteria. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.