79R342 UM-F

By:  Harper-Brown                                                 H.B. No. 148



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the probationary period of persons appointed to 
beginning positions in certain fire or police departments.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 143.027(a), Local Government Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A person appointed to a beginning position in the fire 
or police department must serve a probationary period of 18 months 
[one year] beginning on that person's date of employment as a fire 
fighter, police officer, or academy trainee.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act to Section 
143.027(a), Local Government Code, applies only to a person whose 
date of employment for purposes of that law is on or after the 
effective date of this Act.  A person whose date of employment for 
purposes of that law is before the effective date of this Act is 
governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date 
of this Act, and the former 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, 2005.