BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3815 82R22034 ALB-F By: Lewis (Seliger) Intergovernmental Relations 5/19/2011 Engrossed BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3815 82R22034 ALB-F By: Lewis (Seliger) Intergovernmental Relations 5/19/2011 Engrossed Senate Research Center H.B. 3815 82R22034 ALB-F By: Lewis (Seliger) Intergovernmental Relations 5/19/2011 Engrossed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT H.B. 3815 was proposed to allow the Ector County Hospital District/Medical Center Hospital to commission and employ peace officers as a security force to protect patients, staff, and visitors at Medical Center Hospital. Many Texas hospitals currently employ peace officers, but only a handful of hospital districts are included among them. In order for a hospital district to be authorized to commission and employ peace officers, it must have that authority granted in the Health and Safety Code. Currently, the code only authorizes the Dallas County Hospital District, the Tarrant County Hospital District, and the Bexar County Hospital District to commission and employ peace officers. H.B. 3815 amends current law relating to the authority of the Ector County Hospital District to employ and commission peace officers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1024, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 1024.117, as follows: Sec. 1024.117. EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS. (a) Authorizes the board of directors of the Ector County Hospital District (board; district) to employ and commission peace officers for the district. (b) Provides that the jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes the property owned or controlled by the district. (c) Provides that, in a district peace officer's jurisdiction, the peace officer has the authority granted by Chapter 14 (Arrest Without Warrant), Code of Criminal Procedure. SECTION 2. Amends Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, to set forth certain individuals who are peace officers, including officers commissioned by the board of the district under Section 1024.117, Special District Local Laws Code. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011. AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT H.B. 3815 was proposed to allow the Ector County Hospital District/Medical Center Hospital to commission and employ peace officers as a security force to protect patients, staff, and visitors at Medical Center Hospital. Many Texas hospitals currently employ peace officers, but only a handful of hospital districts are included among them. In order for a hospital district to be authorized to commission and employ peace officers, it must have that authority granted in the Health and Safety Code. Currently, the code only authorizes the Dallas County Hospital District, the Tarrant County Hospital District, and the Bexar County Hospital District to commission and employ peace officers. H.B. 3815 amends current law relating to the authority of the Ector County Hospital District to employ and commission peace officers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1024, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 1024.117, as follows: Sec. 1024.117. EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS. (a) Authorizes the board of directors of the Ector County Hospital District (board; district) to employ and commission peace officers for the district. (b) Provides that the jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes the property owned or controlled by the district. (c) Provides that, in a district peace officer's jurisdiction, the peace officer has the authority granted by Chapter 14 (Arrest Without Warrant), Code of Criminal Procedure. SECTION 2. Amends Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, to set forth certain individuals who are peace officers, including officers commissioned by the board of the district under Section 1024.117, Special District Local Laws Code. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.