Bill Text: TX HB3503 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relating to firearms training for county jailers.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-06-15 - Effective immediately [HB3503 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HB3503-Enrolled.html
H.B. No. 3503 |
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relating to firearms training for county jailers. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 1701.2561 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 1701.2561. FIREARMS TRAINING FOR COUNTY JAILERS. (a) | ||
The commission shall develop a basic training program in the use of | ||
firearms by county jailers. The program must provide instruction | ||
in: | ||
(1) legal limitations on the use of firearms and on the | ||
powers and authority of jailers; | ||
(2) range firing and procedure; | ||
(3) firearms safety and maintenance; and | ||
(4) other topics determined by the commission to be | ||
necessary for the responsible use of firearms by jailers. | ||
(b) The commission shall administer the training program | ||
and shall issue a certificate of firearms proficiency to each | ||
county jailer the commission determines has successfully completed | ||
the program. | ||
(c) A county jailer who is issued a certificate of firearms | ||
proficiency and who maintains weapons proficiency in accordance | ||
with Section 1701.355 may carry a firearm: | ||
(1) during the course of performing duties as a county | ||
jailer, including while transporting persons confined in the county | ||
jail; and | ||
(2) while traveling to or from the jailer's place of | ||
assignment. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 1701.355, Occupations Code, is amended | ||
by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as | ||
follows: | ||
(a-1) An agency that employs one or more county jailers who | ||
have been issued a certificate of firearms proficiency under | ||
Section 1701.2561 shall designate a firearms proficiency officer | ||
and require the jailers to demonstrate weapons proficiency to the | ||
firearms proficiency officer at least annually. The agency shall | ||
maintain records of the weapons proficiency of the agency's | ||
jailers. A county jailer's failure to demonstrate weapons | ||
proficiency does not affect the county jailer's license under this | ||
chapter. | ||
(b) On request, the commission may waive the requirement | ||
that a peace officer or county jailer demonstrate weapons | ||
proficiency on a determination by the commission that the | ||
requirement causes a hardship. | ||
SECTION 3. 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, 2019. | ||
______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
I certify that H.B. No. 3503 was passed by the House on May | ||
10, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 0, 2 present, not | ||
voting. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||
I certify that H.B. No. 3503 was passed by the Senate on May | ||
20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
APPROVED: _____________________ | ||
Date | ||
_____________________ | ||
Governor |