By: Jones of Harris H.B. No. 1856
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a firearms policy for campus peace officers
commissioned by a public institution of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.2031 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.2031. FIREARMS POLICY. (a) In this section,
"institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by
Section 61.003.
(b) Each institution of higher education shall adopt a
policy regarding the use of firearms by a campus peace officer
commissioned by the institution under Section 51.203. The policy
must prohibit a campus peace officer from drawing a firearm in an
interaction with a member of the public unless the officer
physically sees that another weapon, other than a weapon carried by
a peace officer, is present during the interaction.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, each public institution of higher education shall
adopt the firearms policy required under Section 51.2031, Education
Code, as added by this Act.
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, 2023.