82R2230 VOO-D
By: Walle H.B. No. 348
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to education and training for school district peace
officers, school resource officers, and school security personnel
employed by a school district.
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 [VISITING] RESOURCE OFFICERS AND [OFFICER IN
PUBLIC] SCHOOL DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS
SECTION 2. Subchapter M, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Sections 1701.604 and 1701.605 to read as
follows:
Sec. 1701.604. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) A peace
officer may not serve as a school resource officer unless the
officer has completed a 20-hour education and training program
administered by the commission.
(b) The Texas Education Agency, in consultation with the
commission, shall develop the curriculum for the education and
training program. The commission must approve the curriculum
before the commission administers the program.
(c) The curriculum for the education and training program
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; and
(5) cultural competency.
(d) The education and training program may be provided as an
online course. The commission may offer the education and training
program as part of the training program maintained under Subchapter
F.
(e) The Texas Education Agency, in consultation with the
commission, shall review the education and training program,
including the curriculum developed under Subsection (b), at least
once every 24 months.
(f) A school district may provide additional,
commission-approved preparatory education or training to its
school resource officers and school district peace officers.
Sec. 1701.605. CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a) As part of the
continuing education required by Section 1701.351, each school
resource officer and school district peace officer shall complete
at least eight hours of continuing education described by this
section.
(b) The commission shall provide to school resource
officers or school district peace officers continuing education
that incorporates the learning objectives specified under Section
1701.604(c). The continuing education may be provided online.
(c) 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.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 1701.351(c), a school resource
officer or school district peace officer who serves at least 12
months in the United States military or as an elected member of the
legislature during a period for which the officer is required to
complete continuing education under this section must complete the
required continuing education not later than the second anniversary
of the date the officer returns to work at a school district.
SECTION 3. Section 37.081, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (i) and (j) to read as follows:
(i) A person may not be employed as security personnel for a
school district unless the person has successfully completed the
education and training program under Section 1701.604, Occupations
Code.
(j) Except as provided by Section 1701.605(d), Occupations
Code, a person employed or under contract as security personnel
under this section must successfully complete the continuing
education described by Section 1701.605, Occupations Code, to
continue to serve as security personnel for a school district.
SECTION 4. Not later than December 31, 2011, the Texas
Education Agency shall develop the curriculum for the education and
training program as required by Section 1701.604(b), Occupations
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 5. Not later than March 31, 2012, the Commission on
Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education shall adopt rules
for the administration of the education and training program
required by Section 1701.604, Occupations Code, as added by this
Act, and for providing continuing education required by Section
1701.605, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 6. (a) Section 1701.604, Occupations Code, as
added by this Act, and Section 37.081, Education Code, as amended by
this Act, apply only to a school district peace officer, school
resource officer, or security personnel member who is initially
appointed, commissioned, or employed by a school district to serve
in that capacity on or after March 31, 2012.
(b) A school district peace officer or school resource
officer serving in that capacity immediately before the effective
date of this Act is not required to comply with the continuing
education requirements described by Section 1701.605, Occupations
Code, as added by this Act, for any license renewal that occurs
before January 1, 2014.
(c) A person employed by a school district as security
personnel immediately before the effective date of this Act is not
required to comply with Section 37.081(j), Education Code, as added
by this Act, as a condition of continued employment in that capacity
before January 1, 2014.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.