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.