SB2839 - 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.

  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.