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�	H.B.�No.�2093

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�	AN ACT
�	relating to persons certified as peace officers.
�	�������BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
�	�������SECTION�1.��Section 1701.404, Occupations Code, is amended
�	to read as follows:
�	�������Sec.�1701.404.��CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
�	ASSIGNMENTS. �(a) �The commission by rule may establish minimum
�	requirements for the training, testing, and certification of
�	special officers for offenders with mental impairments.
�	�������(b)��The commission may certify a sheriff, sheriff's deputy,
�	constable, [or] other peace officer, county jailer, or [a] justice
�	of the peace[,] as a special officer for offenders with mental
�	impairments if the person [officer]:
�	�������������(1)��completes a training course in emergency first aid
�	and lifesaving techniques approved by the commission;
�	�������������(2)��completes a training course administered by the
�	commission on mental health issues and offenders with mental
�	impairments; and
�	�������������(3)��passes an examination administered by the
�	commission that is designed to test the person's [officer's]:
�	�������������������(A)��knowledge and recognition of the
�	characteristics and symptoms of mental illness, mental
�	retardation, and mental disabilities; and
�	�������������������(B)��knowledge of mental health crisis
�	intervention strategies for people with mental impairments.
�	�������(c)��The commission may issue a professional achievement or
�	proficiency certificate to an officer, county jailer, or justice of
�	the peace who meets the requirements of Subsection (b).
�	�������SECTION�2.��(a) �The Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
�	Standards and Education may certify a county jailer as a special
�	officer for offenders with mental impairments and may issue a
�	certificate to the county jailer if the county jailer meets the
�	requirements of Section 1701.404(b), Occupations Code, as amended
�	by this Act, regardless of whether the county jailer completed the
�	required training and passed the examination before, on, or after
�	the effective date of this Act.
�	�������(b)��The Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and
�	Education may issue a certificate under Section 1701.404(c),
�	Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, to a justice of the peace
�	who is certified as a special officer for offenders with mental
�	impairments regardless of whether the justice of the peace was
�	certified before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
�	�������SECTION�3.��This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
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�	______________________________	______________________________
�	���President of the Senate	Speaker of the House�����
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�	�������I certify that H.B. No. 2093 was passed by the House on May
�	11, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not
�	voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to
�	H.B. No. 2093 on May 29, 2009, and requested the appointment of a
�	conference committee to consider the differences between the two
�	houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report
�	on H.B. No. 2093 on May 31, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 142,
�	Nays 0, 1 present, not voting.
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�	______________________________
�	Chief Clerk of the House���
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�	�������I certify that H.B. No. 2093 was passed by the Senate, with
�	amendments, on May 25, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 31, Nays
�	0; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference
�	committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and
�	that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No.
�	2093 on June 1, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 31, Nays 0.
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�	______________________________
�	Secretary of the Senate���
�	APPROVED: __________________
�	����������������Date�������
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�	�������� __________________
�	��������������Governor�������