TITLE: Relating to training for peace officers on investigating criminal offenses involving elderly victims.

SUMMARY: Relating to training for peace officers on investigating criminal offenses involving elderly victims.

FULL TEXT:
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.