BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2524

                                                                                                                                       By: Coleman

Law Enforcement

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) requires that new cadets receive training in de-escalation crisis intervention techniques for dealing with persons with mental illness, however, such training is not required of intermediate or veteran officers.  This training is beneficial to officers, who frequently come into contact with mentally ill individuals, and helps promote the safety of both officers and those who are mentally ill during their interactions with one another.

In order to train more law enforcement officers in de-escalation crisis prevention techniques for dealing with the mentally ill,  C.S.H.B. 2524 requires intermediate and veteran officers to receive the training as part of their continuing education. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2524 provides that this Act shall be known as the "Bob Meadours Act."

C.S.H.B. 2524 amends Section 96.641, Education Code, by adding subsections (l) and (m), as follows:

• Requires the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) to establish a program on de-escalation and crisis prevention techniques for dealing with persons with mental impairments as part of the initial training and continuing education required for police chiefs under the section.
• Requires the program to include an examination of best practices for implementing internal agency policies relating to de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental impairments and monitoring peace officers' compliance with those policies.
• Provides that a police chief may not satisfy the requirements of the de-escalation and crisis prevention program provided by this Act by taking an online course.

C.S.H.B. 2524 amends Section 1701.253 of the Occupations Code as follows:

• Provides that the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education  (TCLEOSE) shall require an officer to complete a statewide education and training program on de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental impairments.
• Requires an officer to complete the training by no later than the second anniversary of licensure under this chapter or the date the officer applies for an intermediate proficiency certificate, whichever is earlier.
• Provides that an officer may not satisfy the requirements of the de-escalation and crisis prevention program provided by this Act by taking an online course.

C.S.H.B. 2524 amends Section 1701.402 of the Occupations Code to add as a requirement for an intermediate or advanced proficiency certificate that an officer complete an education and training program on de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental impairments. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

August 29, 2005

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The original bill requires that for an intermediate proficiency certificate, an officer must complete an education and training program on de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques for interacting with persons with mental impairments established by TCLEOSE, and requires that for an advanced or master proficiency certificate, an officer must obtain a mental health peace officer certification established by TCLEOSE under Section 1701.404, Occupations Code.  The substitute requires the training as a requirement for an intermediate or advanced proficiency certificate.

The substitute names the Act after Bob Meadours and requires LEMIT to establish the training, rather than TCLEOSE.  It requires the training as part of the initial and continuing education of police chiefs, and provides for an examination on certain best practices as part of the program.  The substitute provides that TCLEOSE shall require the training of a peace officer not later than the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed or the date the officer applies for an intermediate proficiency certificate, whichever is earlier.  It provides that neither a police chief or officer may complete this type of training online.  The substitute requires LEMIT to establish the program by January 1, 2006, and provides for the application of the Act and its effective date.  The original bill included none of these provisions.