bill requiring de-escalation training for correctional officers

The text as introduced · 333 words

89R8822 BCH-F

By: Huffman
S.B. No. 2839

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to training on de-escalation, crisis intervention, and

behavioral health for correctional officers and certain other

employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

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

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Jovian Motley Act.

SECTION 2. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by

adding Section 493.0325 to read as follows:

Sec. 493.0325. CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TRAINING ON

DE-ESCALATION, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

(a) This section applies to:

(1) a correctional officer employed by the department;

(2) a department employee responsible for the direct

supervision of correctional officers described by Subdivision (1);

and

(3) any other department employee whose duties involve

contact with inmates.

(b) To facilitate interaction with inmates, the department

shall provide employees described by Subsection (a) training on:

(1) de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques;

and

(2) behavioral health.

(c) The training described by Subsection (b)(1) must

include information regarding:

(1) effective communication;

(2) employing alternatives to physical restraints;

and

(3) techniques for limiting the use of force resulting

in bodily injury.

(d) The training described by Subsection (b)(2) must

include information regarding:

(1) effective communication and intervention;

(2) increased awareness of persons with behavioral

health concerns, substance use disorders, or intellectual and

developmental disabilities;

(3) crisis recognition, prevention, and response;

(4) suicide risk and prevention; and

(5) access to employee assistance programs available

to correctional officers.

(e) The training required by this section must be included

in the department's preservice training for correctional officers

and completed annually by employees described by Subsection (a).

SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act but not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas

Department of Criminal Justice shall make the training required by

Section 493.0325, Government Code, as added by this Act, available

to the employees described by Subsection (a) of that section.

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