S.B. No. 586
AN ACT
relating to the training of peace officers for family violence and
sexual assault assignments.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1701.253(b), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) In establishing requirements under this section, the
commission shall require courses and programs to provide training
in:
(1) the recognition, investigation, and documentation
of cases that involve[:
[(A)] child abuse and [or] neglect, [;
[(B)] family violence, [;] and
[(C)] sexual assault, including the use of best
practices and trauma-informed response techniques to effectively
recognize, investigate, and document those cases;
(2) issues concerning sex offender characteristics;
and
(3) crime victims' rights under Chapter 56, Code of
Criminal Procedure, and Chapter 57, Family Code, and the duty of law
enforcement agencies to ensure that a victim is afforded those
rights.
SECTION 2. Section 1701.352(b), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The commission shall require a state, county, special
district, or municipal agency that appoints or employs peace
officers to provide each peace officer with a training program at
least once every 48 months that is approved by the commission and
consists of:
(1) topics selected by the agency; and
(2) for an officer holding only a basic proficiency
certificate, not more than 20 hours of education and training that
contain curricula incorporating the learning objectives developed
by the commission regarding:
(A) civil rights, racial sensitivity, and
cultural diversity;
(B) de-escalation and crisis intervention
techniques to facilitate interaction with persons with mental
impairments;
(C) de-escalation techniques to facilitate
interaction with members of the public, including techniques for
limiting the use of force resulting in bodily injury; and
(D) unless determined by the agency head to be
inconsistent with the officer's assigned duties:
(i) the recognition, [and] documentation,
and investigation of cases that involve child abuse or neglect,
family violence, and sexual assault, including the use of best
practices and trauma-informed techniques to effectively recognize,
document, and investigate those cases; and
(ii) issues concerning sex offender
characteristics.
SECTION 3. Subchapter I, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1701.4045 to read as follows:
Sec. 1701.4045. CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS FOR FAMILY
VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ASSIGNMENTS. (a) The commission by
rule shall establish minimum requirements for the training,
testing, and certification of special officers for responding to
allegations of family violence or sexual assault.
(b) The commission may certify a peace officer as a special
officer for responding to allegations of family violence or sexual
assault if the person:
(1) completes an advanced training course
administered by the commission on recognizing, documenting, and
investigating family violence and sexual assault using best
practices and trauma-informed techniques; and
(2) passes an examination administered by the
commission that is designed to test the person's:
(A) knowledge and recognition of the signs of
family violence and sexual assault; and
(B) skill at documenting and investigating
family violence and sexual assault using best practices and
trauma-informed techniques.
(c) The commission may issue a professional achievement or
proficiency certificate to a peace officer who meets the
requirements of Subsection (b).
SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2020, the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the comprehensive
education and training program required by Section 1701.253(b),
Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 5. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt
rules necessary to implement Section 1701.4045, Occupations Code,
as added by this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 586 passed the Senate on
April 3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 13, 2019, by the
following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 586 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 2, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 137,
Nays 0, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor