Texas Occupations Code 1701.404 – Certification of Officers for Mental Health Assignments
(a) The commission by rule may establish minimum requirements for the training, testing, and certification of special officers for offenders with mental impairments.
(b) The commission may certify a sheriff, sheriff’s deputy, constable, other peace officer, county jailer, or justice of the peace as a special officer for offenders with mental impairments if the person:
(1) completes a training course in emergency first aid and lifesaving techniques approved by the commission;
(2) completes a training course administered by the commission on mental health issues and offenders with mental impairments; and
(3) passes an examination administered by the commission that is designed to test the person’s:
(A) knowledge and recognition of the characteristics and symptoms of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities; and
(B) knowledge of mental health crisis intervention strategies for people with mental impairments.
Terms Used In Texas Occupations Code 1701.404
- Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) The commission may issue a professional achievement or proficiency certificate to an officer, county jailer, or justice of the peace who meets the requirements of Subsection (b).