By Keel H.B. No. 2881
77R7290 YDB-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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(a), Occupations Code, is amended
1-6 to read as follows:
1-7 (a) Each peace officer shall complete at least 40 hours of
1-8 [a] continuing education programs [program at least] once every 24
1-9 months. The commission may suspend the license of a peace officer
1-10 who fails to comply with this requirement.
1-11 SECTION 2. Sections 1701.352(b), (c), and (e), Occupations
1-12 Code, are amended to read as follows:
1-13 (b) The commission shall require a state, county, special
1-14 district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs peace
1-15 officers to provide each peace officer with a training program at
1-16 least once every 48 [24] months that is approved by the commission
1-17 and consists of[. At least 20 hours of the instruction must be on
1-18 topics selected by the agency. The course must]:
1-19 (1) topics selected by the agency [be approved by the
1-20 commission]; and
1-21 (2) not more than 20 hours of education and training
1-22 that contain curricula incorporating [that incorporate] the
1-23 learning objectives developed by the commission regarding[; and]
1-24 [(3) include education and training in]:
2-1 (A) civil rights, racial sensitivity, and
2-2 cultural diversity; and
2-3 (B) unless determined by the agency head to be
2-4 inconsistent with the officer's assigned duties:
2-5 (i) the recognition and documentation of
2-6 cases that involve child abuse or neglect, family violence, and
2-7 sexual assault; and
2-8 (ii) issues concerning sex offender
2-9 characteristics[; and]
2-10 [(4) include other education and training only if
2-11 determined by the agency head to be consistent with the officer's
2-12 assigned duties].
2-13 (c) A course provided under Subsection (b)[:]
2-14 [(1) may not exceed 40 hours; and]
2-15 [(2)] may use instructional materials developed by the
2-16 agency or its trainers or by entities having training agreements
2-17 with the commission in addition to materials included in curricula
2-18 developed by the commission.
2-19 (e) The commission may require a state, county, special
2-20 district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs a reserve
2-21 law enforcement officer, county jailer, or public security officer
2-22 to provide each of those persons with education and training in
2-23 civil rights, racial sensitivity, and cultural diversity at least
2-24 once every 48 [24] months.
2-25 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.