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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to training for peace officers on investigating criminal |
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offenses involving elderly victims. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (q) to read as follows: |
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(q) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the |
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commission shall require an officer to complete the training |
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program established under Section 1701.272. An officer shall |
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complete the program not later than the last day of the first full |
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continuing education training period that begins on or after the |
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date the officer is licensed under this chapter unless the officer |
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completes the program as part of the officer's basic training |
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course. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1701.272 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1701.272. TRAINING PROGRAM ON INVESTIGATING CRIMINAL |
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OFFENSES INVOLVING ELDERLY VICTIMS. (a) The commission by rule |
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shall require an officer to complete a one-time training program on |
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investigating criminal offenses in which the victim or intended |
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victim was 65 years of age or older at the time of the offense. The |
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commission shall establish the training program required by this |
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section. |
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(b) The training program required by Subsection (a) must |
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include: |
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(1) procedures for reporting suspected abuse, |
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neglect, or exploitation of an elderly person to the adult |
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protective services division of the Department of Family and |
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Protective Services; and |
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(2) material on identifying potential decision-making |
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capacity impairments affecting an elderly victim. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1701.253(q), Occupations Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to a person who submits an application for |
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a peace officer license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, on or |
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after January 1, 2024. A person who submits an application for a |
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peace officer license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, before |
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January 1, 2024, is governed by the law in effect immediately before |
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that date, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2024, the Texas |
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Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the training program |
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required by Section 1701.272, Occupations Code, as added by this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |