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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the training of peace officers for family violence and |
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sexual assault assignments. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1701.352(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The commission shall require a state, county, special |
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district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs peace |
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officers to provide each peace officer with a training program at |
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least once every 48 months that is approved by the commission and |
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consists of: |
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(1) topics selected by the agency; and |
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(2) for an officer holding only a basic proficiency |
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certificate, not more than 20 hours of education and training that |
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contain curricula incorporating the learning objectives developed |
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by the commission regarding: |
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(A) civil rights, racial sensitivity, and |
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cultural diversity; |
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(B) de-escalation and crisis intervention |
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techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental |
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impairments; |
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(C) de-escalation techniques to facilitate |
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interaction with members of the public, including techniques for |
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limiting the use of force resulting in bodily injury; and |
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(D) unless determined by the agency head to be |
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inconsistent with the officer's assigned duties: |
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(i) the recognition, [and] documentation, |
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and investigation of cases that involve child abuse or neglect, |
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family violence, and sexual assault, including the use of best |
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practices and trauma-informed techniques to effectively recognize, |
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document, and investigate those cases; and |
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(ii) issues concerning sex offender |
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characteristics. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter I, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1701.4045 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1701.4045. CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS FOR FAMILY |
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VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ASSIGNMENTS. (a) The commission by |
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rule shall establish minimum requirements for the training, |
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testing, and certification of special officers for responding to |
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allegations of family violence or sexual assault. |
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(b) The commission may certify a peace officer as a special |
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officer for responding to allegations of family violence or sexual |
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assault if the person: |
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(1) completes an advanced training course |
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administered by the commission on recognizing, documenting, and |
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investigating family violence and sexual assault using best |
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practices and trauma-informed techniques; and |
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(2) passes an examination administered by the |
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commission that is designed to test the person's: |
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(A) knowledge and recognition of the signs of |
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family violence and sexual assault; and |
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(B) skill at documenting and investigating |
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family violence and sexual assault using best practices and |
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trauma-informed techniques. |
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(c) The commission may issue a professional achievement or |
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proficiency certificate to a peace officer who meets the |
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requirements of Subsection (b). |
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SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt |
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rules necessary to implement Section 1701.4045, Occupations Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |