By:  West                                                                 S.B. No. 92



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a residential tenant's right to summon police or 
emergency assistance.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is 
amended by adding Section 92.015 to read as follows:
	Sec. 92.015.  TENANT'S RIGHT TO SUMMON POLICE OR EMERGENCY 
ASSISTANCE.  (a) A landlord may not:
		(1)  prohibit or limit a residential tenant's right to 
summon police or other emergency assistance in response to domestic 
violence or other conduct; or
		(2)  impose monetary or other penalties on a tenant who 
summons police or emergency assistance.
	(b)  The provisions of this section may not be waived by 
contract.    
	SECTION 2.  A provision in a lease entered into or renewed 
before the effective date of this Act that does not comply with 
Section 92.015, Property Code, as added by this Act, is governed by 
the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, 
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  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.