House Bill No. 5591 aims to enhance the training of peace officers in Texas regarding opioid overdoses. The bill amends the Occupations Code by adding a new subsection (u) to Section 1701.253, which mandates that as part of the minimum curriculum requirements, officers must complete a training program on opioid overdoses established under the newly added Section 1701.273. This training program will include instruction on recognizing the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and administering various types of opioid antagonists, including injectable and nasal forms.

Additionally, the bill introduces Section 1701.3526, which requires officers to complete the opioid overdose training as part of their continuing education programs. The new requirements will apply only to officers who begin to satisfy the minimum curriculum requirements on or after January 1, 2026, and to continuing education training units that commence after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement is tasked with adopting rules to implement these changes as soon as practicable after the Act's effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 1701.253 (Occupations Code 1701)