S.B. No. 586

AN ACT

relating to the training of peace officers for family violence and sexual assault assignments.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1701.253(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) In establishing requirements under this section, the commission shall require courses and programs to provide training in:

(1) the recognition, investigation, and documentation of cases that involve[:

[(A)] child abuse and [or] neglect, [;

[(B)] family violence, [;] and

[(C)] sexual assault, including the use of best practices and trauma-informed response techniques to effectively recognize, investigate, and document those cases;

(2) issues concerning sex offender characteristics; and

(3) crime victims' rights under Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Chapter 57, Family Code, and the duty of law enforcement agencies to ensure that a victim is afforded those rights.

SECTION 2. Section 1701.352(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The commission shall require a state, county, special district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs peace officers to provide each peace officer with a training program at least once every 48 months that is approved by the commission and consists of:

(1) topics selected by the agency; and

(2) for an officer holding only a basic proficiency certificate, not more than 20 hours of education and training that contain curricula incorporating the learning objectives developed by the commission regarding:

(A) civil rights, racial sensitivity, and cultural diversity;

(B) de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental impairments;

(C) de-escalation techniques to facilitate interaction with members of the public, including techniques for limiting the use of force resulting in bodily injury; and

(D) unless determined by the agency head to be inconsistent with the officer's assigned duties:

(i) the recognition, [and] documentation, and investigation of cases that involve child abuse or neglect, family violence, and sexual assault, including the use of best practices and trauma-informed techniques to effectively recognize, document, and investigate those cases; and

(ii) issues concerning sex offender characteristics.

SECTION 3. Subchapter I, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1701.4045 to read as follows:

Sec. 1701.4045. CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ASSIGNMENTS. (a) The commission by rule shall establish minimum requirements for the training, testing, and certification of special officers for responding to allegations of family violence or sexual assault.

(b) The commission may certify a peace officer as a special officer for responding to allegations of family violence or sexual assault if the person:

(1) completes an advanced training course administered by the commission on recognizing, documenting, and investigating family violence and sexual assault using best practices and trauma-informed techniques; and

(2) passes an examination administered by the commission that is designed to test the person's:

(A) knowledge and recognition of the signs of family violence and sexual assault; and

(B) skill at documenting and investigating family violence and sexual assault using best practices and trauma-informed techniques.

(c) The commission may issue a professional achievement or proficiency certificate to a peace officer who meets the requirements of Subsection (b).

SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2020, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the comprehensive education and training program required by Section 1701.253(b), Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 5. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 1701.4045, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 586 passed the Senate on April 3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 13, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 586 passed the House, with amendment, on May 2, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 0, two present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

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Governor