86R9604 MAW-F
By: Anderson H.B. No. 3503
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
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 demonstrates weapons proficiency as required by
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
authorized to carry firearms under Section 1701.2561 shall
designate a firearms proficiency officer and require each jailer 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.
(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.