BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1191
	By: Seliger
	Education
	6/3/2021
	Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Section 1701.601 of the Occupations Code defines a school resource officer (SRO) as a peace officer who is assigned to provide a police presence at a public school, provides safety or drug education to students of a public school, or other similar services.

 

SROs, as a result of previous legislation in the 84th and 86th Legislatures, must complete a school-based law enforcement training (SBLE) program within 180 days of duty assignment and also must successfully complete an active shooter course. Once these requirements are met, the SRO will obtain a certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

 

Many have noted how broad the definition of an SRO is. For example, there are peace officers who work at public schools for occasional activities such as sporting events, yet law enforcement agencies are unsure if they must mandate these SROs to complete the SBLE training. Consequently, there are serious liability implications at stake.

 

S.B. 1191 states that the SRO definition does not include a peace officer who provides law enforcement at a public school or public school event only for extracurricular activities.

 

(Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 1191 amends current law relating to the definition of a school resource officer.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1701.601, Occupations Code, to redefine "school resource officer" for Subchapter M (Visiting Resource Officer in Public School), to provide that the term does not include a peace officer who provides law enforcement at a public school only for extracurricular activities or at a public school event only for extracurricular activities. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021.