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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the training of peace officers on cases involving child |
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abuse and neglect, family violence, and sexual assault. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1701.253(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) In establishing requirements under this section, the |
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commission shall require courses and programs to provide training |
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in: |
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(1) the recognition, investigation, and documentation |
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of cases that involve[:
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[(A)] child abuse and [or] neglect, [;
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[(B)] family violence, [;] and |
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[(C)] sexual assault, including the use of best |
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practices and trauma-informed response techniques to effectively |
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recognize, investigate, and document those cases; |
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(2) issues concerning sex offender characteristics; |
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and |
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(3) crime victims' rights under Chapter 56, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure, and Chapter 57, Family Code, and the duty of law |
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enforcement agencies to ensure that a victim is afforded those |
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rights. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1701.352(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The commission shall require a state, county, special |
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district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs peace |
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officers to provide each peace officer with a training program at |
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least once every 48 months that is approved by the commission and |
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consists of: |
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(1) topics selected by the agency; and |
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(2) for an officer holding only a basic proficiency |
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certificate, not more than 20 hours of education and training that |
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contain curricula incorporating the learning objectives developed |
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by the commission regarding: |
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(A) civil rights, racial sensitivity, and |
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cultural diversity; |
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(B) de-escalation and crisis intervention |
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techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental |
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impairments; |
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(C) de-escalation techniques to facilitate |
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interaction with members of the public, including techniques for |
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limiting the use of force resulting in bodily injury; and |
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(D) unless determined by the agency head to be |
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inconsistent with the officer's assigned duties: |
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(i) the recognition, investigation, and |
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documentation of cases that involve child abuse and [or] neglect, |
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family violence, and sexual assault, including the use of best |
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practices and trauma-informed response techniques to effectively |
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recognize, investigate, and document those cases; and |
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(ii) issues concerning sex offender |
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characteristics. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter I, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1701.4045 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1701.4045. CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS FOR CHILD ABUSE |
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AND NEGLECT, FAMILY VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ASSIGNMENTS. (a) |
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The commission by rule shall establish minimum requirements for the |
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training, testing, and certification of special officers for |
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responding to allegations of child abuse and neglect, family |
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violence, and sexual assault. |
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(b) The commission may certify a peace officer as a special |
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officer for responding to allegations of child abuse and neglect, |
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family violence, and sexual assault if the person: |
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(1) completes an advanced training course |
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administered by the commission on recognizing, investigating, and |
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documenting cases involving child abuse and neglect, family |
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violence, and sexual assault using best practices and |
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trauma-informed response techniques; and |
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(2) passes an examination administered by the |
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commission that is designed to test the person's: |
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(A) knowledge and recognition of the signs of |
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child abuse and neglect, family violence, and sexual assault; and |
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(B) skill at investigating and documenting child |
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abuse and neglect, family violence, and sexual assault using best |
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practices and trauma-informed response techniques. |
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(c) The commission may issue a professional achievement or |
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proficiency certificate to a peace officer who meets the |
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requirements of Subsection (b). |
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SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2020, the Texas |
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Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the comprehensive |
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education and training program required by Section 1701.253(b), |
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Occupations Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt |
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rules necessary to implement Section 1701.4045, Occupations Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |