Bill Text: TX HB1177 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to a school security volunteer program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-02 - Referred to Youth Health & Safety, Select [HB1177 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB1177-Introduced.html
  88R3958 DIO-D
 
  By: Patterson H.B. No. 1177
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a school security volunteer program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 37.0816 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.0816.  SCHOOL SECURITY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. (a) In
  this section:
               (1)  "Honorably retired" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 411.199(c), Government Code.
               (2)  "Qualified retired law enforcement officer" means
  a person who:
                     (A)  meets the qualifications provided by 18
  U.S.C. Section 926C(c); and
                     (B)  is honorably retired.
               (3)  "Veteran" has the meaning assigned by Section
  521.1235, Transportation Code.
         (b)  The board of trustees of a school district or the
  governing body of an open-enrollment charter school may approve a
  program under which the district or school provides written
  regulations or written authorization for eligible persons to serve
  as school security volunteers by:
               (1)  providing security services for the district or
  school on school grounds, including any location in which an
  activity sponsored by the district or school is being conducted,
  and in school vehicles; and
               (2)  carrying a handgun in providing the security
  services under Subdivision (1).
         (c)  A person is eligible to serve as a school security
  volunteer for a program approved under this section only if:
               (1)  the person is not:
                     (A)  an employee of the district or school;
                     (B)  a contractor providing services under a
  contract with the district or school; or
                     (C)  a person who otherwise receives compensation
  or remuneration from the district or school;
               (2)  the person is:
                     (A)  a qualified retired law enforcement officer;
  or
                     (B)  a veteran; and
               (3)  the board of trustees or governing body determines
  the person is eligible based on the results of a criminal background
  check conducted on the person using criminal history record
  information obtained by the district or school in accordance with
  Section 22.0835.
         (d)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  that approves a program under this section must include the program
  in the district's or school's multihazard emergency operations plan
  required under Section 37.108.
         (e)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  that approves a program under this section must provide to each
  school security volunteer a course of instruction on the safety and
  security policies of the district or school and must include
  instruction about the district's or school's multihazard emergency
  operations plan adopted under Section 37.108.
         (f)  A school security volunteer is immune from civil
  liability to the same extent as a professional employee of a school
  district under Section 22.0511. This subsection does not limit the
  liability of a person for intentional misconduct or gross
  negligence.
         (g)  While providing volunteer security services under
  Subsection (b), a school security volunteer may not wear a uniform
  or badge that:
               (1)  contains the word "security"; or
               (2)  gives the person the appearance of being a peace
  officer, personal protection officer, or security officer.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter N, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1702.334 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1702.334.  SCHOOL SECURITY VOLUNTEERS. This chapter
  does not apply to a person who serves as a school security volunteer
  for a school district or open-enrollment charter school under a
  program adopted under Section 37.0816, Education Code.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies
  beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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