By: West, RodrÃguez S.B. No. 30
Whitmire
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to inclusion of instruction regarding interaction with
peace officers in the required curriculum for certain public school
students and in driver education courses 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.
(3) "Driver training school" has the meaning assigned
by Section 1001.001.
(b) The board and the commission shall enter into a
memorandum of understanding that establishes each agency's
respective responsibilities in developing instruction, including
curriculum and instructional modules, on proper interaction with
peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters.
The instruction must include information regarding:
(1) the role of law enforcement and the duties and
responsibilities of police officers;
(2) a person's rights concerning interactions with
police officers;
(3) proper behavior for civilians and police officers
during interactions;
(4) laws regarding questioning and detention by police
officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of
identity to a police officer, and the consequences for a person's or
officer's failure to comply with those laws; and
(5) how and where to file a complaint against or a
compliment on behalf of a police officer.
(c) In developing the instruction under this section, the
board and the commission may consult with any interested party,
including a volunteer work group convened for the purpose of making
recommendations regarding the instruction.
(d) Before finalizing any instruction under this section,
the board and the commission shall provide a reasonable period for
public comment.
(e) Subject to rules adopted by the board, a school district
or open-enrollment charter school may tailor the instruction
developed under this section as appropriate for the district's or
school's community. In tailoring the instruction, the district or
school shall solicit input from local law enforcement agencies,
driver training schools, and the community.
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 one or
more courses in the required curriculum for students in grade
levels 9 through 12.
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 1001, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 1001.109 to read as follows:
Sec. 1001.109. INFORMATION RELATING TO TRAFFIC STOPS.
(a) The commission by rule shall require that information relating
to law enforcement procedures for traffic stops be included in the
curriculum of each driver education course and driving safety
course. The curriculum must include:
(1) a demonstration of the proper actions to be taken
during a traffic stop; and
(2) information regarding:
(A) the role of law enforcement and the duties
and responsibilities of police officers;
(B) a person's rights concerning interactions
with police officers;
(C) proper behavior for civilians and police
officers during interactions;
(D) laws regarding questioning and detention by
police officers, including any law requiring a person to present
proof of identity to a police officer, and the consequences for a
person's or officer's failure to comply with those laws; and
(E) how and where to file a complaint against or a
compliment on behalf of a police officer.
(b) In developing the curriculum under this section, the
commission may consult with any interested party, including a
volunteer work group convened for the purpose of making
recommendations regarding the curriculum.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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,
including training and testing materials, on proper interaction
with civilians during traffic stops and other in-person encounters.
The training program must include information regarding:
(1) the role of law enforcement and the duties and
responsibilities of police officers;
(2) a person's rights concerning interactions with
police officers;
(3) proper behavior for civilians and police officers
during interactions;
(4) laws regarding questioning and detention by police
officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of
identity to a police officer, and the consequences for a person's or
officer's failure to comply with those laws; and
(5) how and where to file a complaint against or a
compliment on behalf of a police officer.
(c) In developing the training program under this section,
the commission and the board may consult with any interested party,
including a volunteer work group convened for the purpose of making
recommendations regarding the training program.
(d) Before finalizing a training program under this
section, the commission and the board shall provide a reasonable
period for public comment.
SECTION 6. (a) Not later than September 1, 2018:
(1) the State Board of Education and the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall develop:
(A) the instruction required under Section
28.012, Education Code, as added by this Act; and
(B) the training program required under Section
1701.268, Occupations Code, as added by this Act; and
(2) the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation
shall adopt rules regarding the curriculum required under Section
1001.109, Education 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 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.