(a) Each peace officer shall complete at least 40 hours of continuing education programs once every 24 months. The commission may suspend the license of a peace officer who fails to comply with this requirement.
(a-1) As part of the continuing education programs under Subsection (a), a peace officer must complete a training and education program that covers recent changes to the laws of this state and of the United States pertaining to peace officers.

(a-2) Before the first day of each 24-month training unit during which peace officers are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education programs under Subsection (a), the commission shall specify the mandated topics to be covered in up to 16 of the required hours.
(b) The commission by rule shall provide for waiver of the requirements of this section when mitigating circumstances exist.
(c) The commission shall credit a peace officer with meeting the continuing education requirements of this section if during the relevant 24-month period the peace officer serves on active duty as a member of the United States military for at least 12 months or serves as an elected member of the legislature. Credit for continuing education under this subsection does not affect any requirement to demonstrate continuing weapons proficiency under § 1701.355.
(d) A peace officer who is second in command to a police chief of a law enforcement agency and who attends a continuing education program for command staff provided by the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas under § 96.641, Education Code, is exempt from the continuing education requirements of this subchapter.