09/01/2011

Kim Vickers appointed executive director

HB 1402 exempts persons licensed under 1701 from Occupations Code Chapter 53.

• Requires all agencies to report telecommunicators to the Commission.
• Allows agencies appointing telecommunicators to set standards above the minimum standards set by the Commission.
• Requires the Commission to set minimum standards for telecommunicators.
• Requires agencies employing telecommunicators to submit reports to the Commission.
• Requires the Commission to set reporting standards for employment and termination of telecommunicators.
• Includes training of telecommunicators in the inspection and risk assessment process.
• Disqualifies persons convicted of a felony from being appointed or employed as a telecommunicator.
• Requires agencies that employ telecommunicators to provide them with 24 hours of crisis communications on or before the first anniversary of the telecommunicator’s first day of employment.
• Adds training on federal and state statutes that relate to employment issues to the basic certificate requirements for telecommunicators.
• Establishes age, education, and training requirements for telecommunicators.

• Adds an offense for employing or retaining an unqualified telecommunicator.

SB 244 allows peace officer who is second in command to a police chief to attend a program from Bill Blackwood to be exempt from continuing education requirements under 1701.351 and 1701.352.

• Requires a blood or other medical test to determine drug dependency or illegal drug use.
• Clarifies the continuing education requirements for all licensees.

• Identifies the training requirements for a chief of police.