85R8926 SCL-D
By: Garcia, et al. S.B. No. 997
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to peace officer enforcement of federal immigration law at
places of worship, hospitals, public schools, and courthouses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 2.255 to read as follows:
Art. 2.255. ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW AT
PLACES OF WORSHIP, HOSPITALS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND COURTHOUSES. (a)
A law enforcement agency or other governmental entity that employs
a peace officer shall adopt and enforce a policy that prohibits the
agency's or entity's peace officers from participating in the
enforcement of federal laws relating to immigrants or immigration,
including the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
Section 1101 et seq.), on the property of a place of worship,
hospital, public school, including a public institution of higher
education, or courthouse.
(b) The attorney general, in consultation with agencies and
entities described by Subsection (a), shall develop and publish a
model policy on the attorney general's Internet website for the
enforcement of federal immigration law at places of worship,
hospitals, public schools, and courthouses to ensure that those
facilities remain safe and accessible to all residents of this
state regardless of immigration status.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.