Bill Text: TX HB917 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to education and training for certain school district peace officers and school resource officers.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-28 - Left pending in committee [HB917 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB917-Introduced.html
  83R5208 VOO-D
 
  By: Walle H.B. No. 917
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to education and training for certain school district
  peace officers and school resource officers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter M, Chapter 1701,
  Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER M. SCHOOL DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS AND SCHOOL
  [VISITING] RESOURCE OFFICERS [OFFICER IN PUBLIC SCHOOL]
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter M, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1701.604 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1701.604.  EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) Except
  as provided by Subsection (b), this section applies only to:
               (1)  a school district peace officer commissioned under
  Section 37.081, Education Code; or
               (2)  a school resource officer, as defined by Section
  1701.601.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a peace officer while the
  peace officer is assigned to a school-sponsored event at which
  formal classroom instruction is not offered.
         (c)  A peace officer may not serve as a school district peace
  officer or as a school resource officer for longer than a period of
  90 days unless the peace officer has completed a 24-hour or longer
  education and training program approved by the commission under
  this section, except as provided by Subsection (d), and has
  received a certificate under Subsection (e). This subsection
  applies only after the commission determines that regular and
  online education and training courses are available in the major
  regions of this state.
         (d)  A peace officer who has received comparable education
  and training through the Bexar County children's crisis
  intervention training program or the Texas School Safety Center at
  Texas State University is not required to complete the education
  and training program approved by the commission under this section
  to serve as a school district peace officer or school resource
  officer.
         (e)  The commission shall issue a professional achievement
  or proficiency certificate to a peace officer on successful
  completion of an education and training program:
               (1)  approved by the commission under this section; or
               (2)  described by Subsection (d).
         (f)  The commission shall appoint 14 members to a school
  resource curriculum committee to develop the curriculum for the
  education and training program under this section. The school
  resource curriculum committee shall be composed as follows:
               (1)  one representative of the Bexar County children's
  crisis intervention training program;
               (2)  one representative of the Texas School Safety
  Center at Texas State University;
               (3)  one representative of the commission;
               (4)  one representative of the Texas Municipal Police
  Association;
               (5)  one representative of the Combined Law Enforcement
  Associations of Texas;
               (6)  one behavior analyst certified by the Behavior
  Analyst Certification Board who has experience serving as a
  behavior analyst in an educational setting;
               (7)  one representative of the Texas Education Agency;
               (8)  one representative of a local mental health
  authority, as defined by Section 571.003, Health and Safety Code;
               (9)  a peace officer with certification in crisis
  intervention;
               (10)  a school district peace officer;
               (11)  one representative of an organization that
  advocates for juvenile justice;
               (12)  one representative of an organization that
  advocates for civil liberties;
               (13)  one representative of an organization
  representing parents of public school students; and
               (14)  one representative of the Texas School District
  Police Chiefs' Association.
         (g)  Members of the school resource curriculum committee
  serve terms of two years.
         (h)  The school resource curriculum committee shall develop
  the curriculum for the education and training program under this
  section based on the model curriculum used for the Bexar County
  children's crisis intervention training program and in accordance
  with Subsection (i). The curriculum must be approved by the
  commission. After developing the program, the committee may review
  and revise the curriculum for the program annually or as the
  committee determines necessary. Any revision must be approved by
  the commission. In carrying out its duties, the committee may use
  technology, including teleconferencing or videoconferencing, to
  eliminate travel expenses. Not later than December 1 of each
  even-numbered year, the commission shall review the committee's
  continuation and functions and make any recommendations to the
  legislature concerning statutory changes regarding the committee
  that the commission considers appropriate.
         (i)  The curriculum for the education and training program
  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)  force usage limitations, including physical
  restraint, and de-escalation techniques;
               (4)  children with disabilities or special needs,
  including mental or behavioral health needs; and
               (5)  cultural competency.
         (j)  The education and training program under this section
  may be provided:
               (1)  as a collaborative model within a community that:
                     (A)  involves local stakeholders; and
                     (B)  incorporates didactic and experiential
  training using the best practice model of the Bexar County
  children's crisis intervention training program;
               (2)  by a school determined appropriate for operation
  under Section 1701.251; or
               (3)  as an online training program sponsored by an
  online training provider if the training provider also provides
  training under Section 1701.251.
         (k)  A school district may offer additional
  commission-approved preparatory education or training to its
  school district peace officers and school resource officers.
         (l)  The superintendent of a school district that employs a
  peace officer or to which a school resource officer is assigned
  shall maintain on file the certification issued to the officer
  under Subsection (e).
         (m)  Notwithstanding Section 1701.351(a), the commission may
  not suspend the license of a peace officer solely because the peace
  officer fails to meet the requirements of this section.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than March 31, 2014, the Commission on
  Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education shall approve the
  curriculum for the education and training program as required by
  Section 1701.604, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  Section 1701.604, Occupations Code, as added by
  this Act, applies only to a school district peace officer or school
  resource officer who is serving or has been assigned, appointed,
  commissioned, or employed by a school district to serve in that
  capacity on or after March 31, 2014.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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