H.B. No. 3503
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 maintains weapons proficiency in accordance
with 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 who
have been issued a certificate of firearms proficiency under
Section 1701.2561 shall designate a firearms proficiency officer
and require the jailers 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. A county jailer's failure to demonstrate weapons
proficiency does not affect the county jailer's license under this
chapter.
(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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3503 was passed by the House on May
10, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3503 was passed by the Senate on May
20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor