By: Muñoz, Jr., et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 1887

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 29, 2015; May 4, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education; May 22, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 22, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1887 By: Menéndez

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a regional center for public safety excellence in the Rio Grande Valley.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 130, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 130.093 to read as follows:

Sec. 130.093. REGIONAL CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EXCELLENCE. (a) In this section:

(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement ("TCOLE").

(2) "Regional center" means the regional center for public safety excellence established under this section.

(b) The regional center for public safety excellence is established to develop and provide education and training for law enforcement personnel in the Rio Grande Valley, including:

(1) education and training leading toward an associate of applied science degree or certificate or another public safety or law enforcement-related associate degree or certificate;

(2) TCOLE officer certification; and

(3) a continuing education certification.

(c) South Texas College shall administer the regional center in partnership with political subdivisions and participating school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. The headquarters of the regional center are located at South Texas College in Pharr, Texas. The regional center may use property and facilities at other locations in Hidalgo and Starr Counties.

(d) In developing its training programs and courses, the regional center shall ensure that the program or course curriculum satisfies any requirements imposed by the commission under Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, for the regional center to operate as a commission-approved training provider under that chapter.

(e) The regional center may solicit and accept gifts and grants from any public or private source for purposes of this section. The legislature may appropriate money for purposes of this section.

SECTION 2. 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, 2015.

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