By: Kerwin H.B. No. 3049
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the designation of animal control officers as first
responders.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 421.095, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 421.095. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter
(1) "First responder" means a public safety employee
or volunteer whose duties include responding rapidly to an
emergency. The term includes:
(A) a peace officer whose duties include
responding rapidly to an emergency;
(B) fire protection personnel under section
419.021;
(C) a volunteer firefighter who is:
(i) certified by the Texas Commission on
Fire Protection or by the state Firemen's and Fire Marshals'
Association of Texas; or
(ii) a member of an organized volunteer
fire-fighting unit as described by section 615.003;
(D) an individual certified as emergency medical
services personnel by the Department of State Health Services;
(E) an emergency response operator or emergency
services dispatcher who provides communication support services
for an agency by responding to requests for assistance in
emergencies;
(F) an animal control officer whose duties
include responding rapidly to an emergency; and
(G) other emergency response personnel employed
by an agency.
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.