Overall Vote Recommendation

Yes

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

HB 2756, known as the Jovian Motley Act, proposes the creation of a new section within the Texas Government Code (Section 493.0325) requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to provide mandatory training for correctional officers and their direct supervisors. The training must focus on de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and behavioral health awareness to better prepare staff for interactions with inmates, particularly those exhibiting mental health, substance use, or intellectual and developmental disability issues.

The training content is divided into two major areas: one on de-escalation methods—emphasizing communication, use-of-force alternatives, and lifesaving techniques—and the other on behavioral health—highlighting crisis recognition, suicide prevention, and access to employee assistance programs. Training must be incorporated into preservice education for new officers and completed annually thereafter by all affected employees.

The bill requires TDCJ to make this training available no later than December 1, 2025, with full implementation by the bill’s effective date. Overall, the measure aims to improve inmate outcomes, reduce use-of-force incidents, and enhance the safety and professionalism of correctional facility environments.

The original version of HB 2756 required the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to provide training on de-escalation, crisis intervention, and behavioral health not only to correctional officers and their supervisors but also to any other department employees whose duties involve contact with inmates. In contrast, the Committee Substitute narrowed the scope of the bill by removing the inclusion of other employees beyond correctional officers and their direct supervisors.

Additionally, the original bill’s de-escalation training requirements focused on three key areas: effective communication, alternatives to physical restraints, and techniques for limiting the use of force resulting in bodily injury. The committee substitute expanded these requirements to include additional topics such as the use of shields and less-lethal weapons, proper use of lighting, safety techniques during cell extractions, fundamental lifesaving procedures, and necessary personnel involvement. Similarly, while both versions included behavioral health topics like suicide prevention and crisis recognition, the substitute bill further emphasized employee assistance program access and made the training requirements slightly more detailed.

Structurally, both versions maintain the same effective date and the same deadline for the department to implement training. However, the Committee Substitute provides a broader, more prescriptive curriculum for training correctional officers, reflecting a stronger emphasis on operational safety and practical crisis management than the original version.

Author

Senfronia Thompson

Charlene Ward Johnson

Co-Author

Aicha Davis

Mihaela Plesa

Sponsor

Joan Huffman

Contact the Author

Rep. Senfronia Thompson

Capitol Phone:

(512) 463-0720

Capitol Office:

CAP 3S.6

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), no significant fiscal impact to the State is anticipated as a result of HB 2756. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is expected to absorb the costs associated with developing and delivering the required de-escalation, crisis intervention, and behavioral health training within its existing budget and resources. This means that although the bill creates new ongoing training requirements for correctional officers and supervisors, it does not necessitate additional appropriations or major expenditures beyond what TDCJ already manages.

Similarly, there is no significant fiscal implication for local governments. Since the legislation targets only TDCJ employees, counties, municipalities, or other local correctional systems would not incur costs related to compliance. This keeps the financial burden centralized and controlled within the state’s correctional system.

In summary, while the bill mandates new training standards, it has been structured in a way that avoids immediate or large-scale fiscal pressure on either the state or local entities.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 2756, known as the Jovian Motley Act, aims to improve safety and professionalism within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) by requiring correctional officers and their supervisors to undergo annual training on de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and behavioral health. The bill honors the memory of Officer Jovian Motley, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty, and seeks to ensure that officers are better prepared to manage dangerous or unpredictable inmate interactions.

The bill promotes the liberty principle of humane treatment for incarcerated individuals, while also reinforcing personal responsibility and professionalism among correctional staff. Importantly, the Legislative Budget Board determined there would be no significant fiscal impact on the state, meaning the bill imposes no new burden on taxpayers. Furthermore, the bill does not create any regulatory burden on private businesses or individuals outside of government employment.

Although the bill slightly expands the scope of government operations by introducing a new training mandate, this expansion is narrowly tailored to an essential public safety function. The potential benefits to both correctional officers and inmates, through safer, more controlled facility environments, justify this limited increase. Given its targeted nature, low fiscal impact, and strong support for liberty and safety principles, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 2756.

Individual Liberty: The bill promotes individual liberty by requiring officers to use communication, crisis intervention, and behavioral health awareness to reduce unnecessary uses of force against inmates. This upholds the principle that all individuals, including incarcerated persons, have inherent rights to humane treatment and protection from unnecessary harm.
Personal Responsibility: The bill reinforces personal responsibility among correctional officers by equipping them with the skills needed to professionally manage high-stress encounters. Officers are trained to make better, more responsible choices in dangerous situations rather than relying solely on force.
Free Enterprise: The bill does not impact private businesses, economic competition, or markets. It applies only to public sector employees within TDCJ and has no effect on free enterprise.
Private Property Rights: The bill does not address or affect private property rights, as it relates solely to correctional officer conduct within government-operated prison facilities.
Limited Government: While the bill slightly expands the scope of TDCJ’s internal operations by mandating ongoing training, it does not create a new agency or impose regulations on the public. Given that the training addresses clear, life-threatening risks to both staff and inmates, this measured expansion of government activity can be considered justified within the core purpose of government: protecting life and liberty.

Related Legislation

SB 2839 (Same As)

View Bill Text and Status