88R14225 TSS-D
By: Frazier H.B. No. 4165
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the possession of a knife, knuckles, or a switchblade
knife on the grounds or in the building of a public school; creating
a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.127 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.127. POSSESSION OF CERTAIN WEAPONS ON PUBLIC SCHOOL
GROUNDS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Knife" means any bladed hand instrument that is
capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or
stabbing a person with the instrument.
(2) "Knuckles" means any instrument that consists of
finger rings or guards made of a hard substance and that is
designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious
bodily injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in
the knuckles.
(3) "Switchblade knife" means any knife that has a
blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath, and
that:
(A) opens automatically by pressure applied to a
button or other device located on the handle; or
(B) opens or releases a blade from the handle or
sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal
force.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person possesses a
knife, knuckles, or a switchblade knife while on the grounds or in a
building of a public school.
(c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that
the actor possessed the knife, knuckles, or switchblade knife in
the actual discharge of duties as a school district peace officer,
school resource officer, or school security personnel.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.