SECTION 74.39. Requirements for Instruction on Proper Interaction with Peace Officers

(a) A school district or open-enrollment charter school shall provide instruction in one or more courses to students in Grades 9-12 on proper interaction with peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. The required instruction:

(1) may be provided as a part of any course or courses; and

(2) must be provided to each student at least once before graduation from high school.

(b) The instruction must include all of the following information:

(1) the role of law enforcement and the duties and responsibilities of peace officers;

(2) a person's rights concerning interactions with peace officers;

(3) proper behavior for civilians and peace officers during interactions;

(4) laws regarding questioning and detention by peace officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of identity to a peace officer, and the consequences for a person's or officer's failure to comply with those laws; and

(5) how and where to file a complaint against or a compliment on behalf of a peace officer.

(c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school shall use materials developed through a memorandum of understanding among the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, the State Board of Education, and the Texas Education Agency.

(d) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may tailor the instruction developed under this section as appropriate for the district's or school's community. In tailoring the instruction, the district or school shall solicit input from local law enforcement agencies, driver training schools, and the community.

(e) In accordance with §74.5 of this title (relating to Academic Achievement Record (Transcript)), a school district or an open-enrollment charter school shall clearly indicate on the transcript or academic achievement record the year in which the instruction was provided to the student.

(f) This section applies to any student who enters Grade 9 in the 2018-2019 school year and thereafter.

Source Note: The provisions of this §74.39 adopted to be effective August 27, 2018, 43 TexReg 5523