Bill Text: TX HB1249 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Engrossed
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating to a prohibition of certain motor vehicles resembling emergency medical services vehicles; creating a criminal offense.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-05-29 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB1249 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB1249-Engrossed.html
Bill Title: Relating to a prohibition of certain motor vehicles resembling emergency medical services vehicles; creating a criminal offense.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-05-29 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB1249 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB1249-Engrossed.html
85R12713 DMS-D | ||
By: Goldman, et al. | H.B. No. 1249 |
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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. |