84R11658 GCB-F
 
  By: Giddings H.B. No. 2684
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a model training curriculum and to the
  required training for school district peace officers and school
  resource officers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 37.0812 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.0812.  TRAINING POLICY: SCHOOL DISTRICT PEACE
  OFFICERS AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. A school district that
  commissions a school district peace officer or at which a school
  resource officer provides law enforcement shall adopt a policy
  requiring the officer to complete the education and training
  program required by Section 1701.263, Occupations Code.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 1701.262 and 1701.263 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 1701.262.  TRAINING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS
  AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Center" means the Texas School Safety Center at
  Texas State University.
               (2)  "Cultural competency" means an understanding of
  cultural differences and the way those differences affect human
  behavior.
               (3)  "Institute" means an institute dedicated to
  providing training to law enforcement and the development of law
  enforcement policies, such as the Law Enforcement Management
  Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University or the Caruth
  Police Institute.
               (4)  "School district peace officer" means a peace
  officer commissioned under Section 37.081, Education Code.
               (5)  "School resource officer" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 1701.601.
         (b)  The commission, in consultation with an institute or the
  center, shall create, adopt, and distribute a model training
  curriculum for school district peace officers and school resource
  officers.
         (c)  The curriculum developed under this section must
  incorporate learning objectives regarding:
               (1)  child and adolescent development and psychology;
               (2)  positive behavioral interventions and supports,
  conflict resolution techniques, and restorative justice
  techniques;
               (3)  de-escalation techniques and techniques for
  limiting the use of force, including the use of physical,
  mechanical, and chemical restraints;
               (4)  the mental and behavioral health needs of children
  with disabilities or special needs;
               (5)  mental health crisis intervention; and
               (6)  cultural competency.
         (d)  Before adopting and distributing any curriculum under
  this section, the commission shall provide a 30-day period for
  public comment.
         (e)  The commission shall provide the curriculum developed
  under this section and any supplemental education materials created
  for the curriculum to:
               (1)  school district police departments;
               (2)  law enforcement agencies that place peace officers
  in a school as school resource officers under a memorandum of
  understanding; and
               (3)  any entity that provides training to school
  district peace officers or school resource officers.
         (f)  The commission shall review curriculum developed and
  adopted under this section and update subject matter contained in
  the curriculum as needed at least once every four years.
         Sec. 1701.263.  EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL
  DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. (a) In this
  section:
               (1)  "School district peace officer" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 1701.262.
               (2)  "School resource officer" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 1701.601.
         (b)  The commission by rule shall require a school district
  peace officer or a school resource officer to successfully complete
  an education and training program for school district peace
  officers and school resource officers before or within 120 days of
  the officer's commission by or placement in a school. The program
  must:
               (1)  consist of at least 16 hours of training;
               (2)  be approved by the commission; and
               (3)  provide training in accordance with the curriculum
  developed under Section 1701.262 in each subject area listed in
  Subsection (c) of that section.
         (c)  The education and training program required under this
  section may not require a peace officer to pass an examination,
  except that the commission shall administer an examination to
  qualify officers to provide the education and training to other
  officers. The examination to qualify officers to provide the
  education and training must test the officer's knowledge and
  recognition of the subject areas listed in Section 1701.262(c).
         (d)  The commission shall issue a professional achievement
  or proficiency certificate to a peace officer who completes the
  education and training program under this section.
         SECTION 3.  (a) Not later than December 1, 2015, the Texas
  Commission on Law Enforcement shall create the model training
  curriculum for school district peace officers and school resource
  officers required by Section 1701.262, Occupations Code, as added
  by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than February 1, 2016, the Texas Commission on
  Law Enforcement shall make available to school district peace
  officers and school resource officers the training required by
  Section 1701.263, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
         (c)  Notwithstanding Section 1701.263(b), Occupations Code,
  as added by this Act, a school district peace officer or school
  resource officer who commences employment with a school district or
  commences providing law enforcement at a school district on a date
  occurring before February 1, 2016, shall complete the training
  required by Section 1701.263, Occupations Code, as added by this
  Act, as soon as practicable and not later than June 1, 2016.
         (d)  Not later than February 1, 2016, a school district shall
  adopt the training policy for school district peace officers and
  school resource officers required by Section 37.0812, Education
  Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  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.