By: Bowers, Ortega, Collier, Raymond, et al. H.B. No. 1262
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to training for certain peace officers regarding
techniques to facilitate interactions with homeless individuals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1701.352, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:
(j) A peace officer who is employed by the law enforcement
agency of a political subdivision located wholly or partly in a
county with a population of 200,000 or more must complete as part of
the course provided for the officer under Subsection (b) a one-time
training program established by the commission on techniques to
facilitate interactions with homeless youth and adults and on the
resources available to those individuals. The training program
must be completed not later than the second anniversary of the date
the officer was hired.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the training program
required by Section 1701.352(j), Occupations Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding Section 1701.352(j),
Occupations Code, as added by this Act, a peace officer who on
January 1, 2022, is employed by a law enforcement agency to which
that section applies must complete the training required by that
section not later than January 1, 2024.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.