By: Whitmire, Ellis S.B. No. 308
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the powers and duties of campus police departments at
private institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51.212, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
follows:
(b) Any officer commissioned under the provisions of this
section is vested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities
of peace officers if the officer:
(1) is on the property under the control and
jurisdiction of the respective private institution of higher
education or is otherwise performing duties assigned to the officer
by the institution, regardless of whether the officer is on
property under the control and jurisdiction of the institution, but
provided these duties are [consistent with the educational mission
of the institution and are] being performed within a county in which
the institution has land; or
(2) to the extent authorized by Section 51.2125, is:
(A) requested by another law enforcement agency
to provide assistance in enforcing state or local law, including a
municipal ordinance, and is acting in response to that request; or
(B) otherwise assisting another law enforcement
agency in enforcing a law described by Paragraph (A).
(f) A campus police department of a private institution of
higher education is a law enforcement agency and a governmental
body for purposes of Chapter 552, Government Code, only with
respect to information relating solely to law enforcement
activities.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.