81R12177 JSC-F

By: Fletcher H.B. No. 3770

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the continuing education and intermediate proficiency certificate requirements of peace officers.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (k) to read as follows:

(k) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the commission shall establish a statewide comprehensive education and training program for officers licensed under this chapter that covers the laws of this state and of the United States pertaining to peace officers.

SECTION 2. Section 1701.351, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a-1) As part of the continuing education programs under Subsection (a), a peace officer must complete a training and education program that covers recent changes to the laws of this state and of the United States pertaining to peace officers.

SECTION 3. Section 1701.352(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The commission shall require a state, county, special district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs peace officers to provide each peace officer with a training program at least once every 48 months that is approved by the commission [and consists of:

[(1) topics selected by the agency; and

[(2) not more than 20 hours of education and training that contain curricula incorporating the learning objectives developed by the commission regarding:

[(A) civil rights, racial sensitivity, and cultural diversity; and

[(B) unless determined by the agency head to be inconsistent with the officer's assigned duties:

[(i) the recognition and documentation of cases that involve child abuse or neglect, family violence, and sexual assault; and

[(ii) issues concerning sex offender characteristics].

SECTION 4. Section 1701.402, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsections (h) and (i) to read as follows:

(h) As a requirement for an intermediate proficiency certificate, an officer must complete an education and training program on investigative topics established by the commission under Section 1701.253(b).

(i) As a requirement for an intermediate proficiency certificate, an officer must complete an education and training program on civil rights, racial sensitivity, and cultural diversity established by the commission under Section 1701.253(c).

SECTION 5. Sections 1701.352(e) and (f), Occupations Code, are repealed.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.