Bill Text: TX HB1249 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to a prohibition of certain motor vehicles resembling emergency medical services vehicles; creating a criminal offense.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2017-05-29 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB1249 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB1249-Enrolled.html

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H.B. No. 1249

AN ACT
relating to a prohibition of certain motor vehicles resembling
emergency medical services vehicles; creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 773.017 to read as follows:
Sec. 773.017. USE OF CERTAIN EXTERNAL MOTOR VEHICLE
MARKINGS OR FEATURES PROHIBITED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person
may not operate a motor vehicle in this state that resembles an
emergency medical services vehicle unless the person uses the motor
vehicle:
(1) as an emergency medical services vehicle under
this chapter; or
(2) for other legitimate governmental functions,
including police or firefighting services.
(b) A motor vehicle resembles an emergency medical services
vehicle if the motor vehicle has on the exterior of the motor
vehicle any of the following markings or features:
(1) the word "ambulance" or a derivation of that word;
(2) a star of life as trademarked by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration;
(3) a Maltese cross commonly used by fire departments;
(4) forward-facing flashing red, white, or blue
lights;
(5) a siren;
(6) the words "critical care transport," "emergency,"
"emergency medical services," or "mobile intensive care unit"; or
(7) the acronym "EMS" or "MICU".
(c) A person commits an offense if the person violates this
section. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
(d) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle bearing a
license plate issued or approved under Section 504.501 or 504.502,
Transportation Code.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1249 was passed by the House on May 6,
2017, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 5, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1249 was passed by the Senate on May
19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor