BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 780
81R5202 SLB-D By: Turner, Sylvester (Ellis)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, individuals must meet several eligibility requirements before starting as a peace officer. One eligibility criterion requires that peace officers must have at least 60 hours of college credit. The bill changes this requirement by allowing no more than 12 of the 60 hours to come from police officer academy training toward the 60-hour requirement.
H.B. 780 amends current law relating to eligibility requirements for a beginning police department position in certain municipalities under municipal civil service.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
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. Requires a person, in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements prescribed by Section 143.023 (Eligibility for Beginning Position), to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a police department, to be at least 21 years of age at the end of the probationary period and have earned at least 60 hours' credit in any area of study at an accredited college or university, of which not more than 12 hours' credit may be earned for training at the police officer training academy operated or sponsored by the municipality.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.