Certification and Continuing Education Required For Certain Public Information Officers

Sec. 411.3735. CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS. (a) In this section: (1) "Division" means the Texas Division of Emergency Management. (2) "Public information officer" means an individual who is employed or appointed by a state agency or local government entity and whose duties include communicating with the public during a disaster regarding the disaster. (b) Each of the following entities shall employ or appoint a public information officer who must obtain certification in emergency communications from the division and complete continuing education on emergency communications as provided by Subchapter K, Chapter 418: (1) a municipal police department; (2) a sheriff's office; (3) a county constable's office; (4) a school district police department; and (5) the department. (c) The chief administrative officer of an agency may be appointed or employed as a public information officer. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 361 (H.B. 33), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2025.