HBA-SEB S.B. 264 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 264
By: Duncan
Urban Affairs
4/12/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a person joining a law enforcement agency serves a one year
probationary period, ending on the first anniversary of the date of hiring
the officer.  Most police departments now require five months or longer to
complete police academy training before a new officer is commissioned,
which consumes a considerable amount of time in the probationary period.  A
probationary period that begins on an officer's date of commission, rather
than the date of hire, may benefit an officer who needs further training as
well as the citizens of a community.  S.B. 264 changes the beginning of the
one year probationary period from the date of employment to the date of
commission.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 143.027, Local Government Code, to provide that
a person appointed to a beginning position in the police department must
serve a probationary period beginning on the date the person is
commissioned as a police officer in the employing police department and
ending on the first anniversary of that date.  Specifies that this section
(Probationary Period) does not apply to a city with a population of 1.5
million or more.  Redesignates Sections (c)-(d) to (d)-(e).  Makes
conforming changes.   

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.