The bill, H.B. No. 4614, aims to establish a licensing and regulatory framework for state correctional officers in Texas. It introduces the definition of a "state correctional officer" as an individual employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice whose primary role is to supervise inmates in correctional facilities. The bill amends various sections of the Occupations Code to include state correctional officers alongside other law enforcement personnel, allowing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to set minimum standards for their training, hiring, and licensing. Notably, it mandates that individuals must hold a state correctional officer license to be employed in that capacity, with specific training and examination requirements outlined.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the commission to issue licenses to current state correctional officers who hold permanent appointments before September 1, 2027, without needing to meet the new training requirements. It also clarifies that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is considered a law enforcement agency for the purposes of this legislation. The bill requires the commission to adopt necessary rules and standards by March 1, 2027, and establishes a timeline for the implementation of these changes, with most provisions taking effect on September 1, 2026, and specific sections related to licensing taking effect a year later.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 1701.001, Occupations Code 1701.003, Occupations Code 1701.151, Occupations Code 1701.153, Occupations Code 1701.251, Occupations Code 1701.254, Occupations Code 1701.301, Occupations Code 1701.401, Occupations Code 1701.551 (Occupations Code 1701)
House Committee Report: Occupations Code 1701.001, Occupations Code 1701.003, Occupations Code 1701.151, Occupations Code 1701.153, Occupations Code 1701.162, Occupations Code 1701.251, Occupations Code 1701.254, Occupations Code 1701.301, Occupations Code 1701.401, Occupations Code 1701.404, Occupations Code 1701.451, Occupations Code 1701.4522, Occupations Code 1701.551 (Occupations Code 1701)
Engrossed: Occupations Code 1701.001, Occupations Code 1701.003, Occupations Code 1701.151, Occupations Code 1701.153, Occupations Code 1701.162, Occupations Code 1701.251, Occupations Code 1701.254, Occupations Code 1701.301, Occupations Code 1701.401, Occupations Code 1701.404, Occupations Code 1701.451, Occupations Code 1701.4522, Occupations Code 1701.551 (Occupations Code 1701)