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

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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

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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.