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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 and first responders on |
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certain persons affected by trauma. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 1701.261 and 1701.262 to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 1701.261. ACQUIRED AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES |
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TRAINING. (a) In this section, "first responder" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 421.095, Government Code. |
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(b) The commission, in collaboration with the office of |
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acquired brain injury of the Health and Human Services Commission |
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and the Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council, shall |
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establish and maintain a training program for peace officers and |
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first responders that provides information on: |
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(1) the effects of an acquired brain injury and of a |
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traumatic brain injury; and |
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(2) techniques to interact with persons who have an |
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acquired brain injury or a traumatic brain injury. |
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Sec 1701.262. TRAUMA AFFECTED VETERANS TRAINING. (a) In |
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this section, "veteran" means a person who has served in: |
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(1) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine |
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corps of the United States; or |
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(2) the Texas National Guard as defined by Section |
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431.001, Government Code. |
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(b) The commission, in collaboration with the Texas |
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Veterans Commission, shall establish and maintain a training |
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program for peace officers that provides information on veterans |
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with combat-related trauma, post-traumatic stress, post-traumatic |
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stress disorder, or a traumatic brain injury. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1701.352, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: |
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(j) The commission shall establish a continuing education |
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program relating to the identification of veterans affected by |
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trauma and intervention and de-escalation techniques to facilitate |
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interaction with veterans affected by trauma. An officer may not |
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complete the training under this subsection by taking an online |
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course. |
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SECTION 3. Not later than December 31, 2015, the Texas |
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Commission on Law Enforcement, in collaboration with the Texas |
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Veterans Commission, shall approve the curriculum for the |
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continuing education program described by Section 1701.352(j), |
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Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. Not later than September 1, 2017, the Texas |
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Commission on Law Enforcement shall begin offering the training |
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programs described by Sections 1701.261 and 1701.262, Occupations |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |