By: Muñoz, Jr., Canales, Guerra, Lucio III H.B. No. 1887
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a regional center for public
safety excellence in the Rio Grande Valley.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 130.093 to read as follows:
Sec. 130.093. REGIONAL CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EXCELLENCE.
(a) In this section:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement ("TCOLE").
(2) "Regional center" means the regional center for
public safety excellence established under this section.
(b) The regional center for public safety excellence is
established to develop and provide education and training for law
enforcement personnel in the Rio Grande Valley, including:
(1) education and training leading toward an
associate of applied science degree or certificate or another
public safety or law enforcement-related associate degree or
certificate;
(2) a baccalaureate degree awarded under a program
authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under
Section 130.0012;
(3) TCOLE officer certification; and
(4) a continuing education certification.
(c) South Texas College shall administer the regional
center in partnership with political subdivisions and
participating school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. The
headquarters of the regional center are located at South Texas
College in Pharr, Texas. The regional center may use property and
facilities at other locations in Hidalgo and Starr Counties.
(d) In developing its training programs and courses, the
regional center shall ensure that the program or course curriculum
satisfies any requirements imposed by the commission under
Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, for the regional
center to operate as a commission-approved training provider under
that chapter.
(e) The regional center may solicit and accept gifts and
grants from any public or private source for purposes of this
section. The legislature may appropriate money for purposes of
this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.