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.