By: Deuell S.B. No. 629

(In the Senate - Filed February 13, 2007; February 27, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; April 10, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; April 10, 2007, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a peace officer employment opportunity Internet website by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1701.162 to read as follows:

Sec. 1701.162. PEACE OFFICER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INTERNET WEBSITE. (a) From money appropriated to the commission for any purpose, the commission shall develop, maintain, and promote a statewide employment Internet website to facilitate:

(1) public awareness of peace officer employment opportunities with state and local law enforcement agencies; and

(2) an exchange of information between individuals seeking employment as peace officers in this state and state and local law enforcement agencies seeking applicants for employment as peace officers.

(b) The Internet website must:

(1) be accessible to members of the public; and

(2) provide to individuals seeking employment as peace officers and state and local law enforcement agencies who have posted employment opportunities on the website an organized means of exchanging information.

(c) The commission shall:

(1) to the extent practicable, verify the accuracy of information posted on the Internet website; and

(2) with the assistance of the Department of Information Resources, ensure that data exchanged via the website is secure.

(d) The commission shall charge a reasonable fee to a state or local law enforcement agency that posts information on the Internet website or uses the website in any other manner to exchange information with an individual seeking employment as a peace officer.

(e) In the absence of sufficient funding to maintain and operate the Internet website, the commission may limit or discontinue the commission's operation of the Internet website under this section.

SECTION 2. The Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education shall develop, maintain, and promote the peace officer employment opportunity Internet website as required by Section 1701.162, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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