BILL ANALYSIS
By: Ellis
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Under current law, applicants for beginning positions with a police department are required to be at least 21 years of age and have prior military service and been honorably discharged or have 60 college credit hours. Due to such restrictions, there is currently a shortage of police officers.
As proposed, Senate Bill No. 342 allows certain peace officers with at least five years of service to substitute that time for the two years of military service requirement or the 60 hours of college credit requirement in order to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a police department.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a State officer, institution, department or agency.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 143.105, Local Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 143.105. ELIGIBILITY FOR BEGINNING POSITION IN POLICE DEPARTMENT. Adds to the eligibility requirements for a beginning position in a police department, as an additional requirement to those prescribed by Section 143.023 (regarding eligibility for a beginning position as a police officer or firefighter), that the person have been employed full-time for at least five years as a peace officer licensed by certain entities. Makes conforming and non-substantive changes.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.