88R1403 DRS-D
By: Alvarado S.B. No. 252
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to hiring and licensing certain veterans 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 CERTAIN VETERANS
AS PEACE OFFICERS. Notwithstanding any other law, a political
subdivision that commissions and employs peace officers may
commission and employ as a peace officer a lawful permanent
resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged
veteran of the armed forces of the United States with at least two
years of service before discharge.
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 VETERANS WHO ARE
LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS. The commission shall issue a peace
officer license to a person who is a lawful permanent resident of
the United States if the person:
(1) meets the requirements of this chapter and the
commission's rules; and
(2) is an honorably discharged veteran of the armed
forces of the United States with at least two years of service
before discharge.
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.