BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1285
80R7893 KSD-D By: Van de Putte
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Section 1701.352, Occupations Code, deals with education and training requirements for peace officers. Human trafficking is a problem all across Texas. There is no mandatory standard which requires a peace officer to have a basic training or education program which deals with the offense of human trafficking or how to collect and document evidence properly.
As proposed, S.B. 1285 establishes an educational training program on human trafficking to be used by law enforcement training officials and provides for a one-time mandatory basic education course for all new peace officers and then a voluntary advanced training course thereafter. All currently licensed peace officers are required to take a one-time training program within five years from the effective date of this bill.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 1701.352, Occupations Code, by adding Subsections (g) and (g-1), as follows:
(g) Requires the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (commission) to require each peace officer to complete a one-time basic education and training program relating to the trafficking of persons that includes a review of the substance of Sections 20A.02 (Trafficking of Persons) and 43.05 (Compelling Prostitution), Penal Code, and to make available to each peace officer a voluntary advanced education and training program relating to the trafficking of persons that includes a review of the substance of Sections 20A.02 and 43.05, Penal Code.
(g-1) Requires a peace officer, not later than September 1, 2012, who holds a license issued by the commission before September 1, 2007, to complete the basic education and training program relating to the trafficking of persons required by Subsection (g). Provides that this subsection expires September 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 96, Education Code, by adding Section 96.642, as follows:
Sec. 96.642. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS RELATING TO THE TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS. (a) Requires the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (institute) to design and establish a basic education and training program and an advanced program relating to the trafficking of persons. Requires each program to include a review of the substance of Sections 20A.02 and 43.05, Penal Code.
(b) Requires the institute, not later than January 1, 2008, to begin offering the programs established under this section to peace officers required by other law to complete a basic education and training course relating to the trafficking of persons or required by other law to complete an advanced program. Provides that this subsection expires September 1, 2008.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.