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.