Texas House Bill HB1402

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 2/16/11
• Out of House Committee: 4/26/11
• Voted on by House: 5/4/11
• Refer: 3/1/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/19/11
• Report Pass: 4/18/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/25/11
• Engrossed: 5/4/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 5/5/11
• Report Pass: 5/19/11
• Enrolled: 5/27/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the applicability of the law on the consequences of a criminal conviction to law enforcement officer license holders and applicants.

Impact

The bill, once enacted, will likely impact the procedures and criteria for the licensing and continued employment of law enforcement officers. It aims to foster higher accountability standards within agencies by aligning licensing qualifications and disciplinary actions with broader occupational regulations. This change is expected to enhance the overall integrity of law enforcement operations in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 1402 addresses the implications of criminal convictions for law enforcement officers and applicants for licensure in Texas. The bill amends the Occupations Code to clarify the applicability of certain legal standards and penalties associated with criminal convictions specifically for peace officers. Its intent is to ensure that law enforcement agents are subject to the same standards of accountability as other professionals, thereby promoting ethical conduct and trust in public service roles.

Contention

Discussion around HB 1402 may highlight various points of contention, particularly concerning the balance between a law enforcement officer's rights and the necessity for maintaining public trust. Critics might argue that additional scrutiny on licensure could deter capable candidates from entering the profession, while supporters will maintain that such regulations are critical for ensuring that those entrusted with law enforcement responsibilities are held to high ethical standards.