S.B. 804 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 804
By: Zaffirini
Law Enforcement
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During the 77th session, the legislature passed House Bill 2260, which
requires that municipalities and counties make reasonable accommodations
for a pregnant peace officer by allowing her to work in a temporary
assignment with duties she is able to perform, providing that such
assignment is available.  However, the provisions of this bill do not
apply to commissioned officers of the Department of Public Safety.  Senate
Bill 804 requires the director of the Department of Public Safety to make
reasonable accommodations for a pregnant peace officer by allowing her to
work in a temporary assignment with duties she is able to perform,
providing that such assignment is available.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 804 amends Chapter 411 of the Government Code by adding
Section 411.0079, which requires the director of the Department of Public
Safety to make a reasonable effort to accommodate the request of a
commissioned officer who is determined by a physician to be partially
physically restricted by a pregnancy if the request is related to the
officer's working conditions.  If a physician determines that the officer
is unable to perform her duties and a temporary work assignment that the
officer may perform is available, the director is required to assign the
officer to the temporary work assignment upon the request of the officer. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.