BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 696
86R7018 JCG-D	By: Huffman; Paxton
	Criminal Justice
	4/22/2019
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law requires all peace officers to undergo a basic education program on human trafficking "within a reasonable time after obtaining the license." This means that human trafficking prevention training cannot be taught during a law enforcement academy, only after a peace officer becomes licensed.

 

S.B. 696 instead allows peace officers to complete training "not later than the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under this chapter," which would allow the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to make human trafficking training part of a peace officer academy training curriculum.

 

Additionally, S.B. 696 requires that an officer seeking an intermediate or advanced proficiency certificate complete an advanced training program on human trafficking and compelling prostitution, instead of repeating the basic training course, as is currently in statute.

 

As proposed, S.B. 696 amends current law relating to peace officer instruction on the trafficking of persons and compelling prostitution.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement is rescinded in SECTION 2 (Section 1701.258, Occupations Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, by adding Subsection (p), as follows:

 

(p) Requires the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), as part of the minimum curriculum requirements, to require an officer to complete the basic education and training program on the trafficking of persons developed under Section 1701.258(a). Requires an officer to complete the program not later than the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under this chapter (Law Enforcement Officers) unless the officer completes the program as part of the officer's basic training course.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 1701.258(a), Occupations Code, to require TCOLE, to require an officer to complete a one-time basic education and training program on the trafficking of persons, rather than requiring TCOLE by rule to require an officer first licensed by TCOLE on or after January 1, 2011, to complete within a reasonable time after obtaining the license a one-time basic education and training program on the trafficking of persons.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 1701.402(j), Occupations Code, as follows:

 

(j) Requires an officer, as a requirement for issuance of an intermediate or advanced proficiency certificate, to complete the advanced, rather than basic, education, instruction, and training program on the trafficking of persons and compelling prostitution described by Section 1701.258(b) (relating to the requirement that TCOLE have certain training available) rather than Section 1701.258(a). Deletes text relating to� certain certificates issued by TCOLE on or after January 1, 2011.

 

SECTION 4. Makes application of Section 1701.402(j), Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, prospective.

 

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2019.