84R11970 SCL-D
By: Goldman H.B. No. 2722
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to 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 as an emergency medical services vehicle under this chapter
or the person uses the motor vehicle for other legitimate
governmental functions, including police or fire 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.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.