H.B. No. 4614 aims to establish a licensing and regulatory framework for state correctional officers in Texas, requiring them to obtain an occupational license. The bill introduces a definition for "state correctional officer" and expands the scope of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement's authority to include the establishment of minimum standards for licensing and training of state correctional officers, county jailers, and telecommunicators. It mandates that the commission develop training programs and reporting standards for these positions, ensuring that they meet the necessary qualifications and standards for employment.

Key provisions include the requirement for individuals to complete at least 240 hours of training and meet age and educational prerequisites to qualify for a state correctional officer license. Additionally, the bill allows for the issuance of licenses to current state correctional officers who hold permanent appointments, provided they apply before September 1, 2026. The bill also includes a provision for the commission to adopt rules for issuing achievement awards to licensed officers. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, with 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)