BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1864

By: Thompson, Senfronia

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that improving the education and training of citizens and police officers in Texas with regard to traffic stop procedures may help decrease tensions in such circumstances which can lead to arguments, injuries, and even death. H.B. 1864 seeks to include information on law enforcement traffic stop procedures in each driver education and driving safety course and to include a statewide education and training program on proper traffic stop procedures in the minimum curriculum requirements of law enforcement officers.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1864 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation by rule to require that information relating to law enforcement procedures for traffic stops be included in the curriculum of each driver education course and driving safety course. The bill requires the curriculum to include a demonstration of the proper actions to be taken during a traffic stop and information regarding appropriate interactions with law enforcement.

H.B. 1864 amends the Occupations Code to require the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to establish not later than January 1, 2018, as part of the minimum curriculum requirements for law enforcement officers, a statewide education and training program for those officers on proper procedures for traffic stops, including information regarding the appropriate use of force. The bill requires an officer to complete the program not later than the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed or the date the officer applies for an intermediate proficiency certificate, whichever date is earlier.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.