78R4480 EMT-F

By:  Corte                                                        H.B. No. 726



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the powers and duties of peace officers commissioned by 
certain hospital districts.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 281.057, Health and Safety Code, is 
amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c) and 
(d) to read as follows:
	(b)  The primary jurisdiction of a peace officer 
commissioned under this section includes the property owned or 
controlled by the district that employs the peace officer and any 
street abutting, right-of-way over or through, or easement in the 
property.
	(c)  In a district peace officer's primary jurisdiction, the
[A district] peace officer:
		(1)  is vested with all the powers, privileges, and 
immunities of peace officers;
		(2)  may, in accordance with Chapter 14, Code of 
Criminal Procedure, [make an] arrest without a warrant a person who 
violates a law of this state; and
		(3)  may enforce all traffic laws on streets and 
highways [if:
		[(1)  the arrest is necessary to prevent or abate the 
commission of a criminal offense and the offense or threatened 
offense occurs on any land, easement, right-of-way, or other 
property owned and controlled by the district; or
		[(2)  the offense involves injury or harm to any 
property owned or controlled by the district].
	(d)  Outside a district peace officer's primary 
jurisdiction, the peace officer is vested with all the powers, 
privileges, and immunities of peace officers and may arrest a 
person who violates a law of this state if the peace officer:
		(1)  is summoned by another law enforcement agency to 
provide assistance;
		(2)  is assisting another law enforcement agency; or                   
		(3)  is otherwise performing the officer's duties as a 
peace officer for the district that employs the peace officer.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.