By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 838
(In the Senate - Filed February 26, 2021; March 11, 2021,
read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
April 28, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 1; April 28, 2021,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 838 By: Lucio
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authorization by a school district or
open-enrollment charter school for a person to carry or possess a
weapon on school premises for purposes of safety and security.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.0814 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.0814. SCHOOL GUARDIANS. (a) In this section,
"school guardian" means a person who, pursuant to the written
regulations or written authorization of a school district or
open-enrollment charter school under Section 46.03(a)(1)(A), Penal
Code, is authorized to carry or possess a specified weapon for the
purpose of providing safety and security on the physical premises
of a school, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored
by a school is being conducted, or a passenger transportation
vehicle of a school.
(b) The Texas School Safety Center shall develop best
practices for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools
that authorize school guardians to provide safety and security.
(c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school
that has adopted written regulations or written authorization
allowing for school guardians shall report any information relating
to the implementation of the regulations or authorization and the
identity of each school guardian to:
(1) the Texas School Safety Center, in the form and
manner prescribed by the center; and
(2) a state or local law enforcement agency, on
written request of the head of the agency.
(d) Information reported under Subsection (c) is
confidential and is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
Government Code, by a school district, an open-enrollment charter
school, the Texas School Safety Center, or a law enforcement
agency.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
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