Texas House Bill HB2991

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/14/09
• Voted on by House: 4/22/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/15/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/19/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/25/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the exemption of certain honorably retired special rangers and special Texas Rangers from certain required law enforcement education and training programs regarding persons with mental impairments.

Impact

If passed, HB2991 would specifically alter the existing training requirements for retired special rangers and special Texas Rangers, allowing them to bypass certain education and training programs associated with handling individuals with mental impairments. This change is likely to influence the operational protocols within law enforcement entities that rely on retired personnel for various tasks, potentially increasing the pool of experienced officers available for certain activities without compromising public safety.

Summary

House Bill 2991 seeks to amend the Occupations Code by adding a provision that exempts certain honorably retired special rangers and special Texas Rangers from the required law enforcement training regarding persons with mental impairments. The intention is to alleviate some regulatory burdens on these retired law enforcement officials who may not be actively serving but hold considerable experience and expertise from their previous roles. This bill reflects an effort to recognize the contributions of retired Texas Rangers and to adjust the training requirements that may not be pertinent to their current status.

Contention

While the bill aims to provide relief for retired special rangers and Texas Rangers, there could be points of contention regarding the implications for training standards in law enforcement. Critics may raise concerns that exemption from training could lead to inadequate preparedness when interacting with individuals with mental impairments, which is a critical aspect of ensuring effective and sensitive law enforcement practices. This bill thus represents a balancing act between honoring the expertise of retired personnel and maintaining high standards of law enforcement protocol.