By: Bowers, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Menéndez) H.B. No. 568
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 17, 2023;
April 18, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on
Criminal Justice; May 11, 2023, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 11, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to education and training for peace officers on
interacting with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other
dementias.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1701.253(j), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(j) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the
commission shall require an officer to complete a 40-hour statewide
education and training program on de-escalation and crisis
intervention techniques to facilitate interaction with persons
with mental impairments. The program must include instruction on
interacting with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other
dementias, including instruction on techniques for recognizing
symptoms, communicating effectively, employing alternatives to
physical restraints, and identifying signs of abuse, neglect, or
exploitation. An officer shall complete the program not later than
the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under
this chapter or the date the officer applies for an intermediate
proficiency certificate, whichever date is earlier. An officer may
not satisfy the requirements of this subsection or Section
1701.402(g) by taking an online course on de-escalation and crisis
intervention techniques to facilitate interaction with persons
with mental impairments.
SECTION 2. Not later than April 1, 2024, the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall revise the commission's
education and training programs as necessary to implement the
changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 3. Section 1701.253(j), Occupations Code, as
amended 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 April 1, 2024. A person who submits
an application for a peace officer license under Chapter 1701,
Occupations Code, before April 1, 2024, 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, 2023.
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