HBA-JEK H.B. 2881 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2881 By: Keel Public Safety 4/6/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (commission) currently requires state and local agencies that appoint or employ peace officers to provide each peace officer with a continuing education program at least once every 24 months. At least 20 hours of this instruction must be on topics selected by the agency such as child abuse, family violence, sexual assault, cultural diversity, and civil rights. House Bill 2881 extends the time period to once every 48 months and limits instruction on these topics to not more than 20 hours. 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 2881 amends the Occupations Code to require each peace officer to complete at least 40 hours of continuing education programs once every 24 months. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) shall require a state, county, special district, or municipal agency (agency) that appoints or employs peace officers to provide each officer with a TCLEOSE approved training program at least once every 48 months that consists of topics selected by the agency and topics mandated by existing law. The bill limits the coverage of certain curricula developed by TCLEOSE, including learning objectives related to civil rights, racial sensitivity, and the recognition and documentation of child abuse or neglect, family violence, sexual assault, and issues concerning sex offender characteristics to not more than 20 hours. The bill authorizes TCLEOSE to require an agency to provide a reserve law enforcement officer, county jailer, or public security officer with education and training in civil rights, racial sensitivity, and cultural diversity at least once every 48 months. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.