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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the continuing education and intermediate proficiency |
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certificate requirements of peace officers. |
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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 Subsection (k) to read as follows: |
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(k) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the |
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commission shall establish a statewide comprehensive education and |
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training program for officers licensed under this chapter that |
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covers the laws of this state and of the United States pertaining to |
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peace officers. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1701.351, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) As part of the continuing education programs under |
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Subsection (a), a peace officer must complete a training and |
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education program that covers recent changes to the laws of this |
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state and of the United States pertaining to peace officers. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1701.352(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The commission shall require a state, county, special |
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district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs peace |
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officers to provide each peace officer with a training program at |
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least once every 48 months that is approved by the commission and |
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consists of: |
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(1) topics selected by the agency; and |
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(2) for an officer holding only a basic proficiency |
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certificate, not more than 20 hours of education and training that |
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contain curricula incorporating the learning objectives developed |
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by the commission regarding: |
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(A) civil rights, racial sensitivity, and |
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cultural diversity; and |
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(B) unless determined by the agency head to be |
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inconsistent with the officer's assigned duties: |
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(i) the recognition and documentation of |
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cases that involve child abuse or neglect, family violence, and |
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sexual assault; and |
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(ii) issues concerning sex offender |
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characteristics. |
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SECTION 4. Section 1701.402, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsections (h) and (i) to read as follows: |
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(h) As a requirement for an intermediate proficiency |
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certificate, an officer must complete an education and training |
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program on investigative topics established by the commission under |
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Section 1701.253(b). |
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(i) As a requirement for an intermediate proficiency |
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certificate, an officer must complete an education and training |
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program on civil rights, racial sensitivity, and cultural diversity |
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established by the commission under Section 1701.253(c). |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |