By: Gutierrez S.B. No. 737
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Texas School Patrol.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter S to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER S. TEXAS SCHOOL PATROL
Sec. 411.534. COMPOSITION. The Texas School Patrol is a
division of the department consisting of the chief school patrol
officer, the number of captains, sergeants, and privates authorized
by the legislature, and administrative and clerical help as the
commission determines. A person's literary attainment does not
preclude the person's appointment as a private if the person is
otherwise qualified. The chief school patrol officer is the
executive officer of the school patrol. Officers are entitled to
compensation as provided by the legislature.
Sec. 411.535. POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. The Texas
School Patrol shall have at least one officer present at each campus
of every public school and higher education facility in Texas. In
addition to the powers and duties provided by law for the officers,
noncommissioned officers, and enlisted persons of the Texas School
Patrol, they have the powers and authority provided by law for
members of the Texas Rangers force.
Sec. 411.536. CERTAIN EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES. The
department shall equip each officer of the Texas School Patrol in
discharging the officers' official duties at public schools with
all the necessary equipment needed to respond to a mass shooting at
an educational institution, including bullet resistant shields.
Sec. 411.537. NECESSARY TRAINING. The Texas School Patrol
shall coordinate training with local law enforcement officials
concerning emergency response to mass shootings at educational
institutions in Texas.
SECTION 2. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.