BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1177 89Rl7326 GP-F By: Alvarado Local Government 4/10/2025 Committee Report (Substituted) AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT In August, the tragic passing of a Houston middle school student highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures in Texas schools. This proposed legislation strengthens fire safety inspections at public and private schools by requiring routine inspections of critical life-saving equipment during the school fire inspection. Specifically, it ensures that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are fully functional, with unexpired pads and batteries. AEDs are crucial tools and ensuring their accessibility and effectiveness in schools can make a significant difference in the outcomes of emergency situations. Strengthening preventive measures in schools such as this not only safeguards the well-being of students and staff alike but also confirms that essential resources are ready when needed most. Through this effort, schools and trained personnel can aim to create a safer school environment. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent) C.S.S.B. 1177 amends current law relating to fire safety inspections at public and private schools. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 419.029, Government Code, as follows: Sec. 419.029. TRAINING CURRICULUM. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes. (b) Requires that the minimum curriculum requirements established by the Public Safety Commission under Subsection (a) (relating to minimum curriculum requirements for preparatory, in-service, and advanced courses and programs for training fire protection personnel or recruits) require training on conducting a fire safety inspection at a public or private school in accordance with Section 419.909 (Fire Safety Inspections). SECTION 2. Amends Section 419.909, Government Code, by adding Subsections (b-1), (b-2), and (b-3), as follows: (b-1) Requires that a fire safety inspection of a public or private school, including an open-enrollment charter school, required by a state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance include an examination of each automated external defibrillator, as defined by Section 779.001 (Definition), Health and Safety Code, on the school campus to determine whether the defibrillator is fully functional, which must include verifying that that defibrillator's pads and battery have not expired and that the defibrillator's status indicator light indicates that the device is ready for use. Requires a representative of the school campus to present each automated external defibrillator for inspection. (b-2) Requires a person who conducts a fire safety inspection described by Subsection (b-1) to: (1) provide a written report of the inspection and any relevant paperwork pertaining to the findings of the inspection to certain persons; and (2) at the time the person provides the report as required by Subdivision (1), indicate on the report the method by which, and the time and date on which, the person provided the report to the appropriate person under that subdivision. (b-3) Requires that the report required under Subsection (b-2) be filed at the school campus to which the report relates and according to the year in which the inspection occurred. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1177
89Rl7326 GP-F By: Alvarado
Local Government
4/10/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.S.B. 1177
89Rl7326 GP-F
By: Alvarado
Local Government
4/10/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In August, the tragic passing of a Houston middle school student highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures in Texas schools. This proposed legislation strengthens fire safety inspections at public and private schools by requiring routine inspections of critical life-saving equipment during the school fire inspection. Specifically, it ensures that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are fully functional, with unexpired pads and batteries. AEDs are crucial tools and ensuring their accessibility and effectiveness in schools can make a significant difference in the outcomes of emergency situations.
Strengthening preventive measures in schools such as this not only safeguards the well-being of students and staff alike but also confirms that essential resources are ready when needed most. Through this effort, schools and trained personnel can aim to create a safer school environment.
(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)
C.S.S.B. 1177 amends current law relating to fire safety inspections at public and private schools.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 419.029, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 419.029. TRAINING CURRICULUM. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes.
(b) Requires that the minimum curriculum requirements established by the Public Safety Commission under Subsection (a) (relating to minimum curriculum requirements for preparatory, in-service, and advanced courses and programs for training fire protection personnel or recruits) require training on conducting a fire safety inspection at a public or private school in accordance with Section 419.909 (Fire Safety Inspections).
SECTION 2. Amends Section 419.909, Government Code, by adding Subsections (b-1), (b-2), and (b-3), as follows:
(b-1) Requires that a fire safety inspection of a public or private school, including an open-enrollment charter school, required by a state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance include an examination of each automated external defibrillator, as defined by Section 779.001 (Definition), Health and Safety Code, on the school campus to determine whether the defibrillator is fully functional, which must include verifying that that defibrillator's pads and battery have not expired and that the defibrillator's status indicator light indicates that the device is ready for use. Requires a representative of the school campus to present each automated external defibrillator for inspection.
(b-2) Requires a person who conducts a fire safety inspection described by Subsection (b-1) to:
(1) provide a written report of the inspection and any relevant paperwork pertaining to the findings of the inspection to certain persons; and
(2) at the time the person provides the report as required by Subdivision (1), indicate on the report the method by which, and the time and date on which, the person provided the report to the appropriate person under that subdivision.
(b-3) Requires that the report required under Subsection (b-2) be filed at the school campus to which the report relates and according to the year in which the inspection occurred.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.