87R5298 JCG-D
By: Bowers H.B. No. 1262
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to education and training for peace officers regarding
trauma-informed techniques to facilitate interactions with
homeless individuals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (q) to read as follows:
(q) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the
commission shall establish and require an officer to complete a
statewide comprehensive education and training program on
trauma-informed techniques to facilitate interactions with
homeless youth and adults and on the resources available to those
individuals. An officer shall complete the program not later than
the last day of the first full continuing education training period
after the date the officer is licensed under this chapter or the
date the officer applies for an intermediate proficiency
certificate, whichever date is earlier.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the comprehensive
education and training program required by Section 1701.253(q),
Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Section 1701.253(q), Occupations Code, as added
by this Act, applies only to a person who submits an application for
a peace officer license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, on or
after January 1, 2022. A person who submits an application for a
peace officer license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, before
January 1, 2022, is governed by the law in effect immediately before
the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.