1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to continuing education programs for peace officers and
1-3 county jailers.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 1701.351, Occupations Code, is amended by
1-6 amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
1-7 follows:
1-8 (a) Each peace officer shall complete at least 40 hours of
1-9 [a] continuing education programs [program at least] once every 24
1-10 months. The commission may suspend the license of a peace officer
1-11 who fails to comply with this requirement.
1-12 (c) The commission shall credit a peace officer with meeting
1-13 the continuing education requirements of this section if during the
1-14 relevant 24-month period the peace officer serves as an elected
1-15 member of the legislature. Credit for continuing education under
1-16 this subsection does not affect any requirement to demonstrate
1-17 continuing weapons proficiency under Section 1701.355.
1-18 SECTION 2. Sections 1701.352(b), (c), and (e), Occupations
1-19 Code, are amended to read as follows:
1-20 (b) The commission shall require a state, county, special
1-21 district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs peace
1-22 officers to provide each peace officer with a training program at
1-23 least once every 48 [24] months that is approved by the commission
1-24 and consists of[. At least 20 hours of the instruction must be on
2-1 topics selected by the agency. The course must]:
2-2 (1) topics selected by the agency [be approved by the
2-3 commission]; and
2-4 (2) not more than 20 hours of education and training
2-5 that contain curricula incorporating [that incorporate] the
2-6 learning objectives developed by the commission regarding[; and]
2-7 [(3) include education and training in]:
2-8 (A) civil rights, racial sensitivity, and
2-9 cultural diversity; and
2-10 (B) unless determined by the agency head to be
2-11 inconsistent with the officer's assigned duties:
2-12 (i) the recognition and documentation of
2-13 cases that involve child abuse or neglect, family violence, and
2-14 sexual assault; and
2-15 (ii) issues concerning sex offender
2-16 characteristics[; and]
2-17 [(4) include other education and training only if
2-18 determined by the agency head to be consistent with the officer's
2-19 assigned duties].
2-20 (c) A course provided under Subsection (b)[:]
2-21 [(1) may not exceed 40 hours; and]
2-22 [(2)] may use instructional materials developed by the
2-23 agency or its trainers or by entities having training agreements
2-24 with the commission in addition to materials included in curricula
2-25 developed by the commission.
2-26 (e) The commission may require a state, county, special
2-27 district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs a reserve
3-1 law enforcement officer, county jailer, or public security officer
3-2 to provide each of those persons with education and training in
3-3 civil rights, racial sensitivity, and cultural diversity at least
3-4 once every 48 [24] months.
3-5 SECTION 3. The change in law made by Section 1701.351(c),
3-6 Occupations Code, as added by this Act, applies to any 24-month
3-7 period under Section 1701.351, Occupations Code, that ends after
3-8 the effective date of this Act.
3-9 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2881 was passed by the House on April
27, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2881 was passed by the Senate on May
23, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor