The bill, titled the Jovian Motley Act, aims to enhance the training of correctional officers and certain employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and behavioral health. It introduces a new section, 493.0325, to the Government Code, which mandates that correctional officers, their direct supervisors, and other employees who interact with inmates receive specific training. This training will cover de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, behavioral health awareness, effective communication, and methods to minimize the use of force. The training is to be integrated into the department's preservice training for correctional officers and must be completed annually.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the TDCJ must make this training available to the relevant employees by December 1, 2025, following the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025. The comprehensive training aims to improve interactions between correctional staff and inmates, particularly those with behavioral health issues, thereby promoting a safer and more effective correctional environment.

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