SRC-AXB H.B. 964 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 964
76R10691  DRH-FBy: Cuellar (Zaffirini)
Education
5/7/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, only certified peace officers are allowed to direct traffic.
Crossing guards can escort individuals across certain streets, but are
prohibited from directing traffic.  Few school districts are able to hire
certified peace officers; however, most districts have crossing guards on
staff.  H.B. 964 
provides that the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education is
responsible for defining a school crossing guard training program which
includes traffic direction, and specifies that a school crossing guard is
not a peace officer and not allowed to carry a weapon while directing
traffic. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 964 provides that the Commission on Law Enforcement
Standards and Education is responsible for defining a school crossing guard
training program, and specifies that a school crossing guard is not a peace
officer and not allowed to carry a weapon while directing traffic. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 542.501, Transportation Code, to prohibit
disobeying an order of a school crossing guard (guard) who has been trained
under Section 600.004 and is directing traffic in a school crossing zone. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 600, Transportation Code, by adding Section
600.004, as follows: 

Sec.  600.004.  TRAINING OF SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD.  Authorizes a local
authority to authorize a guard to direct traffic if the guard meets certain
training qualifications established by the Commission on Law Enforcement
Standards and Education. Specifies that a guard is not a peace officer and
not allowed to carry a weapon while directing traffic. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.