S.B. No. 971
AN ACT
relating to peace officer training on recognizing and recording
circumstances that indicate strangulation in certain cases.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1701.253(d), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(d) Training in documentation of cases required by
Subsection (b) shall include instruction in:
(1) making a written account of the extent of injuries
sustained by the victim of an alleged offense;
(2) recording by photograph or videotape the area in
which an alleged offense occurred and the victim's injuries; [and]
(3) recognizing and recording a victim's statement
that may be admissible as evidence in a proceeding concerning the
matter about which the statement was made; and
(4) recognizing and recording circumstances
indicating that a victim may have been assaulted in the manner
described by Section 22.01(b)(2)(B), Penal Code.
SECTION 2. Section 1701.352(f), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(f) Training in documentation of cases required by
Subsection (b) shall include instruction in:
(1) making a written account of the extent of injuries
sustained by the victim of an alleged offense;
(2) recording by photograph or videotape the area in
which an alleged offense occurred and the victim's injuries; [and]
(3) recognizing and recording a victim's statement
that may be admissible as evidence in a proceeding concerning the
matter about which the statement was made; and
(4) recognizing and recording circumstances
indicating that a victim may have been assaulted in the manner
described by Section 22.01(b)(2)(B), Penal Code.
SECTION 3. (a) Not later than January 1, 2020, the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish or modify training
programs as necessary to comply with Section 1701.253, Occupations
Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) The minimum curriculum requirements under Section
1701.253(d), Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, apply only
to a peace officer who first begins to satisfy those requirements on
or after January 1, 2020.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 971 passed the Senate on
April 4, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 971 passed the House on
May 3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor