H.B. No. 780 AN ACT relating to eligibility requirements for a beginning police department position in certain municipalities under municipal civil service. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 143.105, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 143.105. ELIGIBILITY FOR BEGINNING POSITION IN POLICE DEPARTMENT. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements prescribed by Section 143.023, to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a police department, a person must be at least 21 years of age at the end of the probationary period and have: (1) served in the United States armed forces and received an honorable discharge; (2) earned at least 60 hours' credit in any area of study at an accredited college or university, of which not more than 12 hours' credit may be earned for training at the police officer training academy operated or sponsored by the municipality; or (3) been employed full-time for at least five years as a peace officer licensed by: (A) the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education; or (B) an acceptable licensing entity in another state that has law enforcement officer licensing requirements substantially equivalent to those of Chapter 1701, Occupations Code. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a certification of eligibility for a beginning position in a police department that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 780 was passed by the House on April 15, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 780 was passed by the Senate on May 27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor