bill ordering autism training for peace officers

The text as introduced · 510 words

89R11854 GP-F

By: Bettencourt
S.B. No. 2818

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to training for peace officers on interacting with persons

with autism spectrum disorder.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. 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

program established under Section 1701.273.

SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is

amended by adding Section 1701.273 to read as follows:

Sec. 1701.273. TRAINING PROGRAM ON INTERACTING WITH PERSONS

WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. (a) In this section, "autism

spectrum disorder" means:

(1) a neurobiological disorder or developmental

disability that significantly affects verbal communication,

nonverbal communication, and social interaction and that meets the

diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder specified by the

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition,

or a later edition; or

(2) a diagnosis made using a previous edition of the

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of autism,

Asperger's syndrome, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder--Not

Otherwise Specified.

(b) The commission by rule shall establish and maintain a

training program for officers on interacting with a person with

autism spectrum disorder.

(c) The training program must be not less than two hours.

(d) The training program must be evidence-based and include

the following topics:

(1) understanding the nature of autism spectrum

disorder and the differing manifestations of the disorder in a

person, including:

(A) identifying a person with autism spectrum

disorder and differentiating that person from another person who

does not have the disorder and who may be uncooperative or intending

to commit a criminal offense;

(B) knowing how age, gender, and ethnicity affect

a person with autism spectrum disorder; and

(C) understanding the relationship between

autism spectrum disorder and criminal or otherwise antisocial

behavior;

(2) effectively communicating with a person with

autism spectrum disorder, including best practices on:

(A) communicating without causing the person

unnecessary stress;

(B) interviewing and interrogating the person;

and

(C) de-escalating an interaction with the

person;

(3) locating a person with autism spectrum disorder

who has run away and may be in danger;

(4) recognizing the circumstances under which a person

with autism spectrum disorder may be abused, coerced, or criminally

exploited, including radicalization of the person;

(5) ensuring the safety of a person with autism

spectrum disorder who is confined in a correctional facility; and

(6) understanding the laws on taking a person into

custody and applying for emergency detention under Subtitle C,

Title 7, Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt

rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.

SECTION 4. 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 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.