88R10921 DRS-D
By: Alvarado S.B. No. 1362
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to hiring and licensing certain individuals lawfully
present in the United States as peace officers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 370, Local Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 370. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO [MUNICIPAL AND
COUNTY] HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY OF MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
SECTION 2. Chapter 370, Local Government Code, is amended
by adding Section 370.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 370.007. COMMISSIONING AND EMPLOYING AS PEACE OFFICERS
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS LAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES.
Notwithstanding any other law, a political subdivision that
commissions and employs peace officers may commission and employ as
a peace officer an individual who is lawfully present in the United
States as the result of receiving deferred action from the United
States Department of Homeland Security and who has obtained
employment authorization from the United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services.
SECTION 3. Subchapter G, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1701.3095 to read as follows:
Sec. 1701.3095. LICENSING OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS LAWFULLY
PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES. The commission shall issue a peace
officer license to a person who:
(1) meets the requirements of this chapter and the
commission's rules;
(2) is lawfully present in the United States as the
result of receiving deferred action from the United States
Department of Homeland Security; and
(3) has obtained employment authorization from the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt or
amend rules as necessary to comply with Section 1701.3095,
Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.