86R1498 JG-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 53
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a request for 9-1-1 service by text message and the
provision of available contact information.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 771A, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 771A.002 to read as follows:
Sec. 771A.002. ACCESS TO 9-1-1 SERVICE BY TEXT MESSAGE;
AVAILABLE CONTACT INFORMATION. (a) In this section, "public
safety answering point" has the meaning assigned by Section
771.001.
(b) To the extent practicable and within available
resources, a public safety answering point shall receive emergency
9-1-1 communications by calls and text messages.
(c) In this chapter and Chapters 771 and 772, any reference
to a call for emergency services received by a public safety
answering point that has implemented a system allowing emergency
9-1-1 communications by text message means a call or text message.
(d) In this chapter and Chapters 771 and 772, a provision
referring to a telephone number associated with a call or text
message for emergency services applies only to a call or text
message originating from a device associated with a telephone
number.
(e) A provider or user shall provide to the public safety
answering point any other relevant and available contact
information of a person requesting emergency services using a
device not associated with a telephone number.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.