The bill, S.B. No. 1329, establishes a grant program to assist school district police departments in Texas in achieving accreditation. It amends the Government Code by adding Section 403.0303, which mandates the comptroller to create and manage this grant program. To qualify for the grant, a school district police department must have a contract with an accrediting entity and complete an initial assessment. The grant can cover costs such as accreditation fees and necessary staffing, with a maximum award of $30,000. Additionally, the bill stipulates that starting September 1, 2031, only accredited school district police departments will be eligible for other law enforcement grants administered by the comptroller.

Furthermore, the bill adds Section 1701.171 to the Occupations Code, requiring the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to adopt rules for school district police departments to become accredited by specific accrediting bodies. Departments not already accredited must contract with an approved entity by September 1, 2029, and achieve accreditation by September 1, 2031. The commission will also assist departments in this process and maintain a public list of accredited departments. The bill mandates that the commission adopt these rules by December 1, 2025, and the comptroller establish the grant program by January 1, 2026.

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