89R22582 JBD/ANG-D
 
  By: McLaughlin, Guillen, Moody, Leo Wilson, H.B. No. 33
      Louderback, et al.
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 33:
 
  By:  Hefner C.S.H.B. No. 33
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to active shooter incidents at primary and secondary
  school facilities and other emergencies, including certain
  accreditations of law enforcement agencies that respond to such
  emergencies.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as the Uvalde Strong Act.
         SECTION 2.  Section 12.104(b), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  An open-enrollment charter school is subject to:
               (1)  a provision of this title establishing a criminal
  offense;
               (2)  the provisions in Chapter 554, Government Code;
  and
               (3)  a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as
  applicable, imposed by this title or a rule adopted under this
  title, relating to:
                     (A)  the Public Education Information Management
  System (PEIMS) to the extent necessary to monitor compliance with
  this subchapter as determined by the commissioner;
                     (B)  criminal history records under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 22;
                     (C)  reading instruments and accelerated reading
  instruction programs under Section 28.006;
                     (D)  accelerated instruction under Section
  28.0211;
                     (E)  high school graduation requirements under
  Section 28.025;
                     (F)  special education programs under Subchapter
  A, Chapter 29;
                     (G)  bilingual education under Subchapter B,
  Chapter 29;
                     (H)  prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E
  or E-1, Chapter 29, except class size limits for prekindergarten
  classes imposed under Section 25.112, which do not apply;
                     (I)  extracurricular activities under Section
  33.081;
                     (J)  discipline management practices or behavior
  management techniques under Section 37.0021;
                     (K)  health and safety under Chapter 38;
                     (L)  the provisions of Subchapter A, Chapter 39;
                     (M)  public school accountability and special
  investigations under Subchapters A, B, C, D, F, G, and J, Chapter
  39, and Chapter 39A;
                     (N)  the requirement under Section 21.006 to
  report an educator's misconduct;
                     (O)  intensive programs of instruction under
  Section 28.0213;
                     (P)  the right of a school employee to report a
  crime, as provided by Section 37.148;
                     (Q)  bullying prevention policies and procedures
  under Section 37.0832;
                     (R)  the right of a school under Section 37.0052
  to place a student who has engaged in certain bullying behavior in a
  disciplinary alternative education program or to expel the student;
                     (S)  the right under Section 37.0151 to report to
  local law enforcement certain conduct constituting assault or
  harassment;
                     (T)  a parent's right to information regarding the
  provision of assistance for learning difficulties to the parent's
  child as provided by Sections 26.004(b)(11) and 26.0081(c) and (d);
                     (U)  establishment of residency under Section
  25.001;
                     (V)  school safety requirements under Sections
  37.0814, 37.108, 37.1081, 37.1082, 37.1083, 37.1084, 37.1085,
  37.1086, 37.1087, 37.109, 37.113, 37.114, 37.1141, 37.115, 37.207,
  and 37.2071 and Subchapter J, Chapter 37;
                     (W)  the early childhood literacy and mathematics
  proficiency plans under Section 11.185;
                     (X)  the college, career, and military readiness
  plans under Section 11.186; and
                     (Y)  parental options to retain a student under
  Section 28.02124.
         SECTION 3.  Sections 37.108(a) and (b), Education Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Each school district or public junior college district
  shall adopt and implement a multihazard emergency operations plan
  for use in the district's facilities. The plan must address
  prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery,
  including the prompt recovery of services provided by the school
  district or public junior college district, as defined by the Texas
  School Safety Center in conjunction with the governor's office of
  homeland security, the commissioner of education, and the
  commissioner of higher education. The plan must provide for:
               (1)  training in responding to an emergency for
  district employees, including substitute teachers;
               (2)  measures to ensure district employees, including
  substitute teachers, have classroom access to a telephone,
  including a cellular telephone, or another electronic
  communication device allowing for immediate contact with district
  emergency services or emergency services agencies, law enforcement
  agencies, health departments, and fire departments;
               (3)  measures to ensure district communications
  technology and infrastructure are adequate to allow for
  communication during an emergency, including measures to ensure the
  use of standardized response protocol terminology, developed in
  coordination with the Texas School Safety Center, to facilitate
  communication between law enforcement, emergency services,
  district employees, and the public;
               (4)  if the plan applies to a school district,
  mandatory school drills and exercises, including drills required
  under Section 37.114, to prepare district students and employees
  for responding to an emergency;
               (5)  measures to ensure coordination with the
  Department of State Health Services and local emergency management
  agencies, law enforcement, health departments, and fire
  departments in the event of an emergency;
               (6)  the implementation of a safety and security audit
  as required by Subsection (b); and
               (7)  any other requirements established by the Texas
  School Safety Center in consultation with the agency and relevant
  local law enforcement agencies.
         (b)  At least once every three years, each school district or
  public junior college district shall conduct a safety and security
  audit of the district's facilities that includes a security review
  as described by Section 37.1087 for each district facility.  A
  district, or a person included in the registry established by the
  Texas School Safety Center under Section 37.2091 who is engaged by
  the district to conduct a safety and security audit, shall follow
  safety and security audit procedures developed by the Texas School
  Safety Center in coordination with the commissioner of education or
  commissioner of higher education, as applicable.
         SECTION 4.  Section 37.1083(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The agency shall monitor the implementation and
  operation of requirements related to school district safety and
  security, including school district:
               (1)  multihazard emergency operations plans; [and]
               (2)  safety and security audits; and
               (3)  security reviews.
         SECTION 5.  Subchapter D, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 37.1087 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.1087.  SECURITY REVIEW. (a) If a school district
  constructs, acquires, renovates, or improves a district facility,
  the district shall, as soon as practicable, conduct a security
  review of the facility to:
               (1)  determine whether the facility meets school safety
  and security requirements as described by commissioner rule; and
               (2)  identify security vulnerabilities at the facility
  in the event of an active shooter incident and describe strategies
  to mitigate each vulnerability identified.
         (b)  The commissioner, in consultation with the Department
  of Public Safety, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and
  the Texas School Safety Center, shall ensure that the rules adopted
  or amended under Section 7.061 include rules for the review
  required under this section.
         SECTION 6.  Subchapter D, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 37.1171 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.1171.  AVAILABILITY OF BREACHING TOOL AND BALLISTIC
  SHIELD. Each school district and open-enrollment charter school
  must have at least one breaching tool and one ballistic shield
  available for use at each campus in the event of an active shooter
  incident.
         SECTION 7.  Section 51.217(b), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  An institution shall adopt and implement a multihazard
  emergency operations plan for use at the institution. The plan must
  address mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery,
  including the prompt recovery of services provided by the
  institution. The plan must provide for:
               (1)  employee training in responding to an emergency;
               (2)  mandatory drills to prepare students, faculty, and
  employees for responding to an emergency;
               (3)  measures to ensure coordination with the
  Department of State Health Services, local emergency management
  agencies, law enforcement, health departments, and fire
  departments in the event of an emergency; and
               (4)  the implementation of a safety and security audit
  as required by Subsection (c).
         SECTION 8.  Subchapter C, Chapter 96, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 96.42 to read as follows:
         Sec. 96.42.  ADVANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT RAPID RESPONSE
  TRAINING CENTER; CERTAIN DUTIES. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Center" means the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid
  Response Training Center at Texas State University--San Marcos.
               (2)  "Emergency medical services personnel" and
  "emergency medical services provider" have the meanings assigned by
  Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.
               (3)  "Local law enforcement agency" means a political
  subdivision of this state authorized by law to employ or appoint
  peace officers.
         (b)  The center shall create a template for use by a local law
  enforcement agency or emergency medical services provider in
  evaluating and reporting on the agency's or provider's response to
  an active shooter incident at a primary or secondary school
  facility under Section 418.1873, Government Code. The center may
  collaborate with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the
  Department of Public Safety, the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, or
  the Texas Police Chiefs Association to develop the template. The
  template must include:
               (1)  prompts for reporting on the following items:
                     (A)  a brief description and outcome of the active
  shooter incident;
                     (B)  a statement of personnel and equipment
  deployed during the incident;
                     (C)  a cost analysis, including salaries,
  equipment, and incidentals;
                     (D)  a copy of appropriate incident logs and
  reports;
                     (E)  any maps, forms, or related documentation
  used in responding to or evaluating the agency's or provider's
  response to the incident;
                     (F)  a summary of any deaths or injuries that
  occurred as a result of the incident;
                     (G)  any information relating to the status of
  criminal investigations and subsequent prosecutions arising out of
  the incident; and
                     (H)  a final evaluation, including:
                           (i)  conclusions relating to the agency's or
  provider's response to the incident;
                           (ii)  problems encountered during the
  response regarding personnel, equipment, resources, or multiagency
  response;
                           (iii)  suggestions for revising policy, such
  as improving training and equipment; and
                           (iv)  any additional considerations that
  would improve the agency's or provider's response to active shooter
  incidents at primary or secondary school facilities in the future;
  and
               (2)  any other content the center considers
  appropriate.
         (c)  The center shall develop a training program for peace
  officers and emergency medical services personnel for responding to
  active shooter incidents at primary and secondary school facilities
  as required by Section 418.1877(b), Government Code. In developing
  the training program, the center:
               (1)  shall incorporate, if available, the findings of
  at least one final report submitted under Section 418.1873,
  Government Code, regarding a local law enforcement agency's or
  emergency medical services provider's response to an active shooter
  incident at a primary or secondary school facility; and
               (2)  may collaborate with the Texas Division of
  Emergency Management, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, the
  Department of Public Safety, or the Department of State Health
  Services.
         (d)  In developing the training program under Subsection
  (c), if a report described by Subsection (c)(1) is not immediately
  available, the center shall update the training program as soon as a
  report described by that subdivision becomes available to
  incorporate the report's findings.
         SECTION 9.  Subchapter L-1, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 411.3735 to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.3735.  CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
  REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS. (a)  In this
  section:
               (1)  "Division" means the Texas Division of Emergency
  Management.
               (2)  "Public information officer" means an individual
  who is employed or appointed by a state agency or local government
  entity and whose duties include communicating with the public
  during a disaster regarding the disaster.
         (b)  Each of the following entities shall employ or appoint a
  public information officer who must obtain certification in
  emergency communications from the division and complete continuing
  education on emergency communications as provided by Subchapter K,
  Chapter 418:
               (1)  a municipal police department;
               (2)  a sheriff's office;
               (3)  a county constable's office;
               (4)  a school district police department; and
               (5)  the department.
         (c)  The chief administrative officer of an agency may be
  appointed or employed as a public information officer.
         SECTION 10.  Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 418.059 to read as follows:
         Sec. 418.059.  GUIDE ON PREPARING FOR AND RESPONDING TO
  ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENT AT SCHOOL FACILITY. (a) The division, in
  coordination with the Emergency Management Council, shall develop a
  guide on preparing for and responding to an active shooter incident
  at a primary or secondary school facility for civic, volunteer, and
  community organizations.
         (b)  The division shall post the guide on the division's
  Internet website for public use. The guide must provide a
  comprehensive approach to preparing for and responding to active
  shooter incidents at primary and secondary school facilities and
  include information on:
               (1)  understanding mass violence incidents and best
  practices for community engagement related to those incidents;
               (2)  incident command structure;
               (3)  coordination of and access to resources, including
  trauma and support services, acute support services, long-term
  support services, spiritual support services, and family or victim
  assistance;
               (4)  long-term recovery and community resilience;
               (5)  communication coordination;
               (6)  training and planning resources; and
               (7)  preserving and restoring community cohesion and
  public life after the incident.
         (c)  In developing and revising the guide, the division may,
  in collaboration with the department, seek the advice and
  assistance of local governments, civic organizations, volunteer
  organizations, and community leaders.
         SECTION 11.  Subchapter H, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 418.1873 and 418.1877 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 418.1873.  EVALUATION AND REPORT ON RESPONSE TO ACTIVE
  SHOOTER INCIDENT AT SCHOOL FACILITY REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN ENTITIES.
  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Emergency medical services" and "emergency
  medical services provider" have the meanings assigned by Section
  773.003, Health and Safety Code.
               (2)  "Local law enforcement agency" means a political
  subdivision of this state authorized by law to employ or appoint
  peace officers.
         (b)  Each local law enforcement agency and emergency medical
  services provider that responds to an active shooter incident at a
  primary or secondary school facility by providing law enforcement
  services or emergency medical services, or both, shall:
               (1)  not later than the 45th day after the date of the
  incident, or as soon as practicable thereafter, initiate an
  evaluation of the agency's or provider's response to the incident
  and submit a preliminary report to the division, the department,
  and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at
  Texas State University--San Marcos regarding, at minimum, the items
  required in the template created under Section 96.42, Education
  Code; and
               (2)  not later than the 90th day after the date of the
  incident, or as soon as practicable thereafter, finalize the report
  described by Subdivision (1) and submit the report to the division,
  the department, and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response
  Training Center at Texas State University--San Marcos.
         (c)  For purposes of implementing this section:
               (1)  the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall
  adopt rules with respect to local law enforcement agencies; and
               (2)  the division shall adopt rules with respect to
  emergency medical services and emergency medical services
  providers.
         (d)  The division, in coordination with the Texas School
  Safety Center, shall by rule define "active shooter incident" as an
  incident involving an active shooter, as that term is defined by the
  Federal Bureau of Investigation.
         (e)  A local law enforcement agency or emergency medical
  services provider that complies with this section regarding an
  active shooter incident at a primary or secondary school facility
  is not required to conduct any evaluation or issue any report that
  may be required under Section 418.188 regarding that incident.
         (f)  Information obtained or created by the division or the
  department in carrying out their obligations under this section are
  confidential and are not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552.
         (g)  Any meetings between a law enforcement agency or
  emergency medical services provider and the division or the
  department are not subject to the open meeting requirements of
  Chapter 551.
         Sec. 418.1877.  TRAINING ON RESPONSES TO ACTIVE SHOOTER
  INCIDENTS AT SCHOOL FACILITIES REQUIRED. (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Emergency medical services personnel" and
  "emergency medical services provider" have the meanings assigned by
  Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.
               (2)  "Local law enforcement agency" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 418.1873.
         (b)  The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement by rule shall
  require the peace officers of each local law enforcement agency to
  complete a training program for responding to active shooter
  incidents at primary and secondary school facilities developed by
  the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at
  Texas State University--San Marcos as required by Section 96.42,
  Education Code.
         (c)  The division by rule shall require the emergency medical
  services personnel of each emergency medical services provider to
  complete a training program for responding to active shooter
  incidents at primary and secondary school facilities developed by
  the division.  The training program must involve reviewing at least
  one final evaluation and report required by Section 418.1873.
         (d)  The division, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement,
  and the Department of State Health Services may adopt rules to
  enforce this section.
         SECTION 12.  Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER K. CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIRED FOR
  CERTAIN PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS
         Sec. 418.331.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "public
  information officer" means an individual who is employed or
  appointed by a state agency, local government entity, or
  open-enrollment charter school and whose duties include
  communicating with the public during a disaster regarding the
  disaster.
         Sec. 418.332.  CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
  REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS. (a)  Each of the
  following entities shall employ or appoint a public information
  officer who must obtain certification in emergency communications
  from the division and complete continuing education on emergency
  communications as provided by this subchapter:
               (1)  a municipality;
               (2)  a county;
               (3)  an independent school district;
               (4)  an open-enrollment charter school; and
               (5)  the division.
         (b)  The chief administrator of an agency may be appointed or
  employed as a public information officer.
         Sec. 418.333.  CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a)
  A public information officer described by Sections 411.3735 and
  418.332 shall:
               (1)  obtain certification from the division in
  emergency communications not later than the first anniversary of
  the date the public information officer was hired or appointed; and
               (2)  complete a continuing education program on
  emergency communications approved by the division once during each
  12-month period beginning on the date the public information
  officer obtained certification.
         (b)  The division shall establish minimum education and
  training requirements for initial certification and continuing
  education under this subchapter. The minimum requirements must
  comply with the policies and standards developed by the Texas
  Commission on Law Enforcement under Section 1701.163, Occupations
  Code.  These minimum requirements must include courses on:
               (1)  the National Incident Management System;
               (2)  the Incident Command System; and
               (3)  the basic skills and principles necessary to
  fulfill the role of a public information officer with respect to
  emergency communications.
         (c)  The division shall assist the entities subject to
  Sections 411.3735 and 418.332 in identifying approved training
  programs.
         (d)  The following courses may be taken to satisfy minimum
  education and training requirements under this subchapter:
               (1)  a course provided by the Bill Blackwood Law
  Enforcement Management Institute of Texas; or
               (2)  a course approved by the Texas Commission on Law
  Enforcement.
         Sec. 418.334.  COMPLIANCE RECORDS; INSPECTION. (a) Each
  entity subject to Section 418.332 shall:
               (1)  maintain records that demonstrate the compliance
  of each public information officer employed or appointed by that
  entity with the certification and continuing education
  requirements of this subchapter; and
               (2)  submit to the division the compliance records
  required to be maintained under Subdivision (1).
         (b)  The division shall permit inspection and copying by the
  department of the compliance records the division maintains under
  Subsection (a)(1) during reasonable hours and in a reasonable
  manner.
         Sec. 418.335.  RULES. The division may adopt rules to
  administer this subchapter.
         SECTION 13.  Subchapter A, Chapter 772, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 772.00791, 772.013, and 772.014 to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 772.00791.  LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ACCREDITATION GRANT
  PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "criminal justice division" means
  the criminal justice division established under Section 772.006.
         (b)  The criminal justice division shall establish and
  administer a grant program to provide financial assistance to a law
  enforcement agency in this state for purposes of becoming
  accredited or maintaining accreditation:
               (1)  through the Texas Police Chiefs Association Law
  Enforcement Agency Best Practices Accreditation Program;
               (2)  by the Commission on Accreditation for Law
  Enforcement Agencies, Inc.;
               (3)  by the International Association of Campus Law
  Enforcement Administrators;
               (4)  by an accreditation program developed by the
  Sheriffs' Association of Texas; or
               (5)  by an association or organization designated by
  the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement as provided by Subsection
  (i).
         (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), the amount of a
  grant awarded to a law enforcement agency under this section is as
  follows:
               (1)  $25,000 for each qualifying accreditation:
                     (A)  held by the agency on the date on which the
  program under this section was established; or
                     (B)  received by the agency after the date
  described by Paragraph (A); and
               (2)  $12,500 for each qualifying reaccreditation
  received by the agency after the date described by Subdivision
  (1)(A).
         (d)  A law enforcement agency may not be awarded a grant
  described by Subsection (c)(1) with respect to an accreditation for
  which the agency has previously been awarded a grant under that
  subdivision.
         (e)  If a law enforcement agency was awarded a grant
  described by Subsection (c)(1) and the accreditation expires
  without the agency receiving reaccreditation, the agency may be
  awarded a grant under this section in the amount provided by
  Subsection (c)(2) for becoming accredited by the accrediting entity
  for which the grant under Subsection (c)(1) was awarded.
         (f)  The criminal justice division shall establish:
               (1)  eligibility criteria for grant applicants;
               (2)  grant application procedures;
               (3)  guidelines relating to grant amounts;
               (4)  procedures for evaluating grant applications; and
               (5)  procedures for monitoring the use of a grant
  awarded under the program and ensuring compliance with any
  conditions of a grant.
         (g)  Not later than December 1 of each year, the criminal
  justice division shall submit to the Legislative Budget Board a
  report that provides the following information for the preceding
  state fiscal year:
               (1)  the name of each law enforcement agency that
  applied for a grant under this section; and
               (2)  the amount of money distributed to each law
  enforcement agency awarded a grant under this section.
         (h)  The criminal justice division may use any revenue
  available for purposes of this section.
         (i)  The criminal justice division, with the assistance of
  the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, shall periodically review
  associations and organizations that establish standards of
  practice for law enforcement agencies and that offer accreditation
  to agencies that meet those standards. On a determination by the
  criminal justice division that accreditation of law enforcement
  agencies in this state by an association or organization would
  benefit public safety, the commission may designate the association
  or organization as an accrediting entity for purposes of Subsection
  (b)(5).
         Sec. 772.013.  COMPLEX EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION
  PLANNING FOR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CERTAIN POLITICAL
  SUBDIVISIONS. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Department" means the Department of Public
  Safety.
               (2)  "First responder" means:
                     (A)  a peace officer described by Article 2A.001,
  Code of Criminal Procedure;
                     (B)  an individual included as fire protection
  personnel by Section 419.021; and
                     (C)  an individual included as emergency medical
  services personnel by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.
         (b)  To prepare for complex responses to and investigations
  of emergencies that require mutual aid and support from more than
  one governmental entity, the department shall consult with the
  sheriff of each county in which a primary or secondary school
  facility is located to determine which governmental entities that
  employ a first responder are reasonably likely, in the sheriff's
  opinion, to respond to an active shooter incident at one of those
  facilities.
         (c)  The department, each sheriff described by Subsection
  (b), and each governmental entity identified by the sheriff under
  that subsection shall collectively participate in:
               (1)  a multiagency tabletop exercise at least once each
  odd-numbered year; and
               (2)  an in-person drill at least once each
  even-numbered year.
         (d)  The department shall invite any appropriate federal
  agency to participate in an exercise described by Subsection (c).
         Sec. 772.014.  MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF
  PUBLIC SAFETY AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. (a)  In this
  section, "department" means the Department of Public Safety.
         (b)  The department and each governmental entity identified
  by a sheriff under Section 772.013(b) shall collectively enter into
  a mutual aid agreement that establishes the procedures for the
  provision of resources, personnel, facilities, equipment, and
  supplies in responses to critical incidents in a vertically
  integrated fashion.
         (c)  In establishing the procedures, the department and
  local law enforcement agencies shall:
               (1)  give priority to establishing the
  interoperability of communications equipment among the parties to
  the agreement;
               (2)  establish procedures for interagency coordination
  in activities arising from critical incidents, including evidence
  collection;
               (3)  set jurisdictional boundaries; and
               (4)  determine the capabilities, processes, and
  expectations among the parties to the agreement.
         (d)  The department shall invite any appropriate federal
  agency to enter into the agreement described by Subsection (b).
         SECTION 14.  Section 85.024, Local Government Code, is
  amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection
  (c-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  The sheriff of a county [with a total population of less
  than 350,000] in which a public school is located shall call and
  conduct an annual meeting [semiannual meetings] to discuss:
               (1)  school safety;
               (2)  coordinated law enforcement response to school
  violence incidents;
               (3)  law enforcement agency capabilities;
               (4)  available resources;
               (5)  emergency radio interoperability;
               (6)  chain of command planning; [and]
               (7)  each public school's multihazard emergency
  operations plan, including a discussion and analysis of how the
  school's multihazard emergency operations plan would be
  implemented in an emergency situation; and
               (8)  other related subjects proposed by a person in
  attendance at the meeting.
         (c)  In a county with a population of less than 350,000, the 
  [The] following persons shall attend a meeting called under
  Subsection (a):
               (1)  the sheriff or the sheriff's designee;
               (2)  the police chief of a municipal police department
  in the county or the police chief's designee;
               (3)  each elected constable in the county or the
  constable's designees;
               (4)  each police chief of a school district's police
  department or school district security coordinator from each school
  district located in the county;
               (5)  a representative of the Department of Public
  Safety assigned to the county;
               (6)  a representative of each other state agency with
  commissioned peace officers assigned to the county;
               (7)  a person appointed to a command staff position at
  an emergency medical service in the county;
               (8)  a person appointed to a command staff position at a
  municipal emergency medical service in the county;
               (9)  a person appointed to a command staff position at a
  fire department in the county;
               (10)  the superintendent or the superintendent's
  designee of each school district located in the county;
               (11)  the person who serves the function of
  superintendent, or that person's designee, in each open-enrollment
  charter school located in the county; [and]
               (12)  a representative of the Texas Division of
  Emergency Management; and
               (13)  any other person the sheriff considers
  appropriate.
         (c-1)  In a county with a population of 350,000 or more, the
  following persons shall attend a meeting called under Subsection
  (a):
               (1)  for each school district located in the county,
  either:
                     (A)  the police chief of the district's police
  department, or the chief's designee; or
                     (B)  if the district contracts with another
  political subdivision for law enforcement services, the chief
  administrative officer of the law enforcement agency providing law
  enforcement services to the district, or the officer's designee;
               (2)  the superintendent of each school district located
  in the county; and
               (3)  any other person the sheriff considers
  appropriate.
         SECTION 15.  Chapter 391, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Section 391.0041 to read as follows:
         Sec. 391.0041.  MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES PLAN FOR FIRST
  RESPONDER INVOLVED IN CRITICAL INCIDENT. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Council of governments" means a regional planning
  commission for a state planning region created under this chapter.
               (2)  "Critical incident" means an incident involving a
  first responder that occurs while the first responder is performing
  official duties and that results in serious bodily injury to the
  first responder or poses a substantial risk of serious bodily
  injury or death to the first responder or of serious harm to the
  first responder's mental health or well-being.
               (3)  "First responder" means:
                     (A)  a peace officer described by Article 2A.001,
  Code of Criminal Procedure;
                     (B)  an individual included as fire protection
  personnel by Section 419.021, Government Code; and
                     (C)  an individual included as emergency medical
  services personnel by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.
         (b)  The Texas Division of Emergency Management, in
  coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission and the
  Department of State Health Services, shall:
               (1)  develop a mental health resources plan to address
  the mental health needs of first responders following a critical
  incident; and
               (2)  provide the plan to each local emergency
  management director in the state.
         (c)  A plan developed under Subsection (b):
               (1)  must identify and provide for:
                     (A)  education and training to a first responder
  prior to a critical incident on topics including:
                           (i)  the potential psychological impact that
  being involved in an incident may have on the first responder; and
                           (ii)  resources available to the first
  responder to address the psychological impact of an incident,
  including mental health counseling, peer support programs, and
  stress management practices; or
                     (B)  a list of recommended providers located
  within the territory of the council of governments who can provide
  the education and training described by Paragraph (A);
               (2)  may recommend that an employer of a first
  responder:
                     (A)  create a process to conduct a critical
  incident stress debriefing following an incident; and
                     (B)  create a peer support program to support the
  first responder following an incident; and
               (3)  may include any other recommendation the council
  of governments considers appropriate to address the mental health
  needs of a first responder following a critical incident.
         (d)  Each political subdivision that receives a plan under
  this section shall:
               (1)  implement the plan; and
               (2)  share the plan with each council of governments
  that has jurisdiction over the political subdivision to ensure
  regional plan integration and awareness.
         SECTION 16.  Section 1701.163, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1701.163.  MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
  AGENCIES.  (a)  The commission, with input from an advisory
  committee, shall by rule establish minimum standards with respect
  to the creation or continued operation of a law enforcement agency
  based on the function, size, and jurisdiction of the agency,
  including:
               (1)  a determination regarding the public benefit of
  creating the agency in the community;
               (2)  the sustainable funding sources for the agency;
               (3)  the physical resources available to officers,
  including:
                     (A)  all standard duty firearms;
                     (B)  less lethal force weapons, including a
  requirement of at least one per officer on duty;
                     (C)  effective communications equipment;
                     (D)  protective equipment, including a
  requirement of:
                           (i)  at least one bullet-resistant vest per
  officer on duty; and
                           (ii)  access to at least one breaching tool
  and one ballistic shield;
                     (E)  officer uniforms; and
                     (F)  patrol vehicles and associated equipment;
               (4)  the physical facilities of the agency, including
  any evidence room, dispatch area, or public area;
               (5)  the policies of the agency, including policies on:
                     (A)  use of force;
                     (B)  vehicle pursuit;
                     (C)  professional conduct of officers;
                     (D)  domestic abuse protocols;
                     (E)  response to missing persons;
                     (F)  supervision of part-time officers;
                     (G)  impartial policing;
                     (H)  active shooters, including a detailed
  written policy based on current best practices for responding to an
  active shooter incident at a primary or secondary school facility
  and a recommendation for the frequency at which simulated emergency
  drills should be conducted; and
                     (I)  barricaded subjects;
               (6)  the administrative structure of the agency;
               (7)  liability insurance; and
               (8)  any other standard the commission considers
  necessary.
         (b)  A law enforcement agency may enter into a mutual aid
  agreement with a law enforcement agency with overlapping or
  adjacent jurisdiction to share protective equipment during a
  critical incident, as defined by Section 391.0041, Local Government
  Code, to meet the requirements under Subsection (a)(3)(D).
         SECTION 17.  Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (u) to read as follows:
         (u)  As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the
  commission shall require an officer to complete the training
  courses described by Section 1701.273.
         SECTION 18.  Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code,
  is amended by adding Section 1701.273 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1701.273.  TRAINING ON INCIDENT RESPONSE AND COMMAND.
  (a) The commission shall require a peace officer to complete the
  following emergency response management training courses, or a
  substantially similar successor course as determined by the
  commission, in collaboration with the Texas Division of Emergency
  Management:
               (1)  Introduction to the Incident Command System; and
               (2)  National Incident Management System, An
  Introduction.
         (b)  The commission shall require an officer to complete the
  training courses described by Subsection (a) unless the officer has
  completed the training under Section 1701.253(u).
         SECTION 19.  Subchapter H, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code,
  is amended by adding Section 1701.3526 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1701.3526.  CONTINUING EDUCATION ON INCIDENT RESPONSE
  AND COMMAND. (a) The commission shall require a peace officer whose
  duties involve the supervision of officers in an incident response
  to complete, as part of the continuing education programs under
  Section 1701.351(a), an advanced incident response and command
  course, in collaboration with the Texas Division of Emergency
  Management, as determined by commission rule.
         (b)  The exemption under Section 1701.351(d) does not apply
  to the training required by Subsection (a).
         SECTION 20.  Section 85.024(b), Local Government Code, is
  repealed.
         SECTION 21.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the Advanced
  Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State
  University--San Marcos shall develop the template and training
  program required by Section 96.42, Education Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 22.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas
  Division of Emergency Management shall develop and post the guide
  required by Section 418.059, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 23.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas
  Division of Emergency Management shall develop the training program
  required by Section 418.1877(c), Government Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 24.  A public information officer described by
  Section 411.3735 or 418.332, Government Code, as added by this Act,
  who was employed or appointed before the effective date of this Act
  shall obtain the certification required by Section 418.333,
  Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1,
  2026.
         SECTION 25.  Not later than January 1, 2026, the Department
  of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies shall enter
  into mutual aid agreements as required by Section 772.014,
  Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 26.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, each council of governments, as defined by Section
  391.0041, Local Government Code, as added by this Act, shall
  develop a mental health resources plan required to be created under
  that section.
         SECTION 27.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt
  rules to implement the changes in law made by this Act to
  Subchapters D, F, and H, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code.
         SECTION 28.  The minimum curriculum requirements under
  Section 1701.253(u), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, apply
  only to an officer who first begins to satisfy those requirements on
  or after January 1, 2026.
         SECTION 29.  Section 1701.3526, Occupations Code, as added
  by this Act, applies only with respect to a 24-month continuing
  education training unit that begins on or after the effective date
  of this Act. A training unit that begins before the effective date
  of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the training
  unit began, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 30.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.