Bill Text: TX HB2778 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the model training curriculum and required training for school district peace officers and school resource officers, including the establishment of a grant program to assist officers in completing the training, and to instruction for public high school students about interacting with law enforcement.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-17 - Referred to Public Education [HB2778 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB2778-Introduced.html

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87R7551 MLH-F
By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2778

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the model training curriculum and required training for
school district peace officers and school resource officers,
including the establishment of a grant program to assist officers
in completing the training, and to instruction for public high
school students about interacting with law enforcement.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 28.012(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The board and the commission shall enter into a
memorandum of understanding that establishes each agency's
respective responsibilities in developing instruction, including
curriculum and instructional modules, on proper interaction with
peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters.
The instruction must include information regarding:
(1) the role of law enforcement and the duties and
responsibilities of peace officers;
(2) a person's rights concerning interactions with
peace officers;
(3) proper behavior for civilians and peace officers
during interactions, including the scope of a peace officer's
authority to use force against a civilian;
(4) laws regarding questioning and detention by peace
officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of
identity to a peace officer, and the consequences for a person's or
officer's failure to comply with those laws; [and]
(5) how and where to file a complaint against or a
compliment on behalf of a peace officer; and
(6) career opportunities in law enforcement.
SECTION 2. Section 28.025(b-20), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b-20) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
include the instruction developed under Section 28.012 in one or
more courses in the required curriculum for students in grade
levels 9 through 12. The instruction must be at least three hours in
duration and may be provided by a school district peace officer or
school resource officer, regardless of whether the officer holds a
certificate issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21.
SECTION 3. Section 37.0812, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(b) A school district that commissions a school district
peace officer or at which a school resource officer provides law
enforcement shall adopt a policy requiring the officer to complete
the education and training program required by Section 1701.263,
Occupations Code, before the peace officer is commissioned or
before the school resource officer commences providing law
enforcement at the district, as applicable.
(c) From funds appropriated or available for purposes of
this section, the commissioner shall establish a grant program to
provide funding for school district peace officers and school
resource officers to complete the education and training program
required under Subsection (b).
SECTION 4. Section 1701.262(c), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(c) The curriculum developed under this section must
incorporate learning objectives regarding:
(1) child and adolescent development and psychology;
(2) positive behavioral interventions and supports,
conflict resolution techniques, and restorative justice
techniques;
(3) de-escalation techniques and techniques for
limiting the use of force, including the use of physical,
mechanical, and chemical restraints;
(4) the mental and behavioral health needs of children
with disabilities or special needs; [and]
(5) mental health crisis intervention;
(6) gang mentality;
(7) implicit bias; and
(8) juvenile law and procedure.
SECTION 5. Section 1701.263(b), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The commission by rule shall require a school district
peace officer or a school resource officer who is commissioned by or
who provides law enforcement at a school district to successfully
complete an education and training program described by this
section before [or within 180 days of] the officer's commission by
or placement in the district or a campus of the district. The
program must:
(1) consist of at least 30 hours [16 hours] of
training;
(2) be approved by the commission; and
(3) provide training in accordance with the curriculum
developed under Section 1701.262 in each subject area listed in
Subsection (c) of that section.
SECTION 6. Sections 28.012(b) and 28.025(b-20), Education
Code, as amended by this Act, apply beginning with the 2021-2022
school year.
SECTION 7. As soon as practicable but not later than January
1, 2022:
(1) a school district that commissions a school
district peace officer or at which a school resource officer
provides law enforcement shall adopt a policy as required by
Section 37.0812(b), Education Code, as amended by this Act; and
(2) the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall
amend the model training curriculum and rules as necessary to
implement Sections 1701.262 and 1701.263, Occupations Code, as
amended by this Act.
SECTION 8. (a) As soon as practicable but not later than
January 1, 2023, a school district peace officer or school resource
officer who commences employment or commences providing law
enforcement at a school district on a date occurring before January
1, 2022, shall complete the training required by Section 1701.263,
Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a
school district peace officer or school resource officer who is
exempt from the training established under Section 1701.263,
Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, because the officer has
completed the training described by Subsection (b-1) of that
section.
SECTION 9. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.