85R2454 KJE-D
By: West S.B. No. 202
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to inclusion of instruction regarding interaction with
peace officers in the required curriculum for ninth grade public
school students and to civilian interaction training for peace
officers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.012 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.012. INSTRUCTION ON INTERACTION WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT. (a) In this section:
(1) "Board" means the State Board of Education.
(2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement.
(b) The board and the commission shall enter into a
memorandum of understanding that establishes each agency's
respective responsibilities in developing instruction on proper
interaction with peace officers during traffic stops and other
in-person encounters.
(c) The board and the commission may consult with any
interested party in developing the instruction under this section.
(d) Before finalizing any instruction under this section,
the board and the commission shall provide a reasonable period for
public comment.
SECTION 2. Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-20) to read as follows:
(b-20) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
include the instruction developed under Section 28.012 in the
required curriculum for students in ninth grade.
SECTION 3. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (n) to read as follows:
(n) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the
commission shall require an officer to complete the civilian
interaction training program developed under Section 1701.268. An
officer shall complete the program not later than the second
anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under this chapter
unless the officer completes the program as part of the officer's
basic training course.
SECTION 4. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1701.268 to read as follows:
Sec. 1701.268. CIVILIAN INTERACTION TRAINING PROGRAM. (a)
In this section, "board" means the State Board of Education.
(b) The commission and the board shall enter into a
memorandum of understanding that establishes each agency's
respective responsibilities in developing a training program on
proper interaction with civilians during traffic stops and other
in-person encounters.
(c) The commission and the board may consult with any
interested party in developing the training program under this
section.
(d) Before finalizing a training program under this
section, the commission and the board shall provide a reasonable
period for public comment.
SECTION 5. (a) Not later than September 1, 2018, the State
Board of Education and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
shall develop:
(1) the instruction required under Section 28.012,
Education Code, as added by this Act; and
(2) the training program required under Section
1701.268, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Section 28.025(b-20), Education Code, as added by this
Act, applies beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.
(c) A peace officer or reserve law enforcement officer who
holds a license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, issued on or
before January 1, 2018, shall complete a training program
established under Section 1701.268, Occupations Code, as added by
this Act, not later than January 1, 2020.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.