S.B. No. 30

AN ACT

relating to inclusion of instruction regarding interaction with peace officers in the required curriculum for certain public school students and in driver education courses and to civilian interaction training for peace officers.

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

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Community Safety Education Act.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.012 to read as follows:

Sec. 28.012. INSTRUCTION ON INTERACTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. (a) In this section:

(1) "Board" means the State Board of Education.

(2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

(3) "Driver training school" has the meaning assigned by Section 1001.001.

(b) The board and the commission shall enter into a memorandum of understanding that establishes each agency's respective responsibilities in developing instruction, including curriculum and instructional modules, on proper interaction with peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. The instruction must include information regarding:

(1) the role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of peace officers;

(2) a person's rights concerning interactions with peace officers;

(3) proper behavior for civilians and peace officers during interactions;

(4) laws regarding questioning and detention by peace officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of identity to a peace officer, and the consequences for a person's or officer's failure to comply with those laws; and

(5) how and where to file a complaint against or a compliment on behalf of a peace officer.

(c) In developing the instruction under this section, the board and the commission may consult with any interested party, including a volunteer work group convened for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the instruction.

(d) Before finalizing any instruction under this section, the board and the commission shall provide a reasonable period for public comment.

(e) Subject to rules adopted by the board, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may tailor the instruction developed under this section as appropriate for the district's or school's community. In tailoring the instruction, the district or school shall solicit input from local law enforcement agencies, driver training schools, and the community.

SECTION 3. Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-20) to read as follows:

(b-20) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to include the instruction developed under Section 28.012 in one or more courses in the required curriculum for students in grade levels 9 through 12.

SECTION 4. Subchapter C, Chapter 1001, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 1001.109 to read as follows:

Sec. 1001.109. INFORMATION RELATING TO TRAFFIC STOPS. (a) The commission by rule shall 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 curriculum must include:

(1) a demonstration of the proper actions to be taken during a traffic stop; and

(2) information regarding:

(A) the role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of peace officers;

(B) a person's rights concerning interactions with peace officers;

(C) proper behavior for civilians and peace officers during interactions;

(D) laws regarding questioning and detention by peace officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of identity to a peace officer, and the consequences for a person's or officer's failure to comply with those laws; and

(E) how and where to file a complaint against or a compliment on behalf of a peace officer.

(b) In developing the curriculum under this section, the commission may consult with any interested party, including a volunteer work group convened for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the curriculum.

SECTION 5. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (n) to read as follows:

(n) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the commission shall require an officer to complete the civilian interaction training program developed under Section 1701.268. An officer shall complete the program not later than the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under this chapter unless the officer completes the program as part of the officer's basic training course.

SECTION 6. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1701.268 to read as follows:

Sec. 1701.268. CIVILIAN INTERACTION TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "board" means the State Board of Education.

(b) The commission and the board shall enter into a memorandum of understanding that establishes each agency's respective responsibilities in developing a training program, including training and testing materials, on proper interaction with civilians during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. The training program must include information regarding:

(1) the role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of peace officers;

(2) a person's rights concerning interactions with peace officers;

(3) proper behavior for civilians and peace officers during interactions;

(4) laws regarding questioning and detention by peace officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of identity to a peace officer, and the consequences for a person's or officer's failure to comply with those laws; and

(5) how and where to file a complaint against or a compliment on behalf of a peace officer.

(c) In developing the training program under this section, the commission and the board may consult with any interested party, including a volunteer work group convened for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the training program.

(d) Before finalizing a training program under this section, the commission and the board shall provide a reasonable period for public comment.

SECTION 7. (a) Not later than September 1, 2018:

(1) the State Board of Education and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop:

(A) the instruction required under Section 28.012, Education Code, as added by this Act; and

(B) the training program required under Section 1701.268, Occupations Code, as added by this Act; and

(2) the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules regarding the curriculum required under Section 1001.109, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Section 28.025(b-20), Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.

(c) A peace officer or reserve law enforcement officer who holds a license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, issued on or before January 1, 2018, shall complete a training program established under Section 1701.268, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2020.

SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 30 passed the Senate on March 29, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; May 25, 2017, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 26, 2017, House granted request of the Senate; May 27, 2017, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 30 passed the House, with amendments, on May 20, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 109, Nays 27, one present not voting; May 26, 2017, House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; May 28, 2017, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 19, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

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Governor