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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to initial and continuing education and training for peace |
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officers and recruits relating to the trafficking of persons. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsections (k) and (l) to read as follows: |
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(k) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the |
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commission shall establish an education and training program |
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relating to the trafficking of persons for recruits and officers. |
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The commission shall develop learning and performance objectives |
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for the education and training program required by this subsection |
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in consultation with national and state experts in the field of the |
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trafficking of persons. The education and training program must: |
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(1) to the extent the commission considers appropriate |
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and practicable, be presented by persons who have: |
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(A) expertise relating to the trafficking of |
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persons; and |
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(B) experience delivering direct services to |
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victims of trafficking; and |
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(2) include instruction regarding the following |
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topics as they relate to the trafficking of persons: |
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(A) the substance of Chapter 20A, Penal Code; |
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(B) the identification of occurrences of |
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trafficking; |
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(C) communication with traumatized persons; |
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(D) therapeutically appropriate investigative |
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techniques; |
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(E) collaboration with federal law enforcement |
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officials; |
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(F) the rights and protections afforded to |
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victims of trafficking; |
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(G) the provision of documentation to satisfy any |
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requirements imposed on a peace officer by federal law relating to |
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certifying that a person is a victim of trafficking; and |
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(H) the availability of community resources to |
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assist victims of trafficking. |
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(l) A recruit must complete a program established under |
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Subsection (k) before the person may be licensed as an officer under |
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this chapter. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1701.352, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows: |
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(f-1) The commission shall require a person who is licensed |
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under this chapter on September 1, 2007, to complete an education |
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and training program on the trafficking of persons described by |
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Section 1701.253(k) not later than December 1, 2011. The program |
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must be available to the officers on the Internet. This subsection |
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expires September 1, 2012. |
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SECTION 3. The Commission on Law Enforcement Officer |
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Standards and Education shall develop and make available the |
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education and training program required by Section 1701.253(k), |
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Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 1, |
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2007. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |