88R9350 SHH-D
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2480
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to training for peace officers on investigating criminal
offenses involving elderly victims.
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 require an officer to complete the training
program established under Section 1701.272. An officer shall
complete the program not later than the last day of the first full
continuing education training period that begins on or after the
date the officer is licensed under this chapter unless the officer
completes the program as part of the officer's basic training
course.
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1701.272 to read as follows:
Sec. 1701.272. TRAINING PROGRAM ON INVESTIGATING CRIMINAL
OFFENSES INVOLVING ELDERLY VICTIMS. (a) The commission by rule
shall require an officer to complete a one-time training program on
investigating criminal offenses in which the victim or intended
victim was 65 years of age or older at the time of the offense. The
commission shall establish the training program required by this
section.
(b) The training program required by Subsection (a) must
include:
(1) procedures for reporting suspected abuse,
neglect, or exploitation of an elderly person to the adult
protective services division of the Department of Family and
Protective Services; and
(2) material on identifying potential decision-making
capacity impairments affecting an elderly victim.
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, 2024. A person who submits an application for a
peace officer license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, before
January 1, 2024, is governed by the law in effect immediately before
that date, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2024, the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the training program
required by Section 1701.272, Occupations Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.