79R10548 PEP-F


By:  Farabee, Frost, et al.                                       H.B. No. 896

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 896:                                    

By:  Hegar                                                    C.S.H.B. No. 896



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the rights and liabilities of an employer with respect 
to the carrying of a concealed handgun.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 411.203, Government Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
	Sec. 411.203.  RIGHTS OF EMPLOYERS; LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.  
(a)  This subchapter does not prevent or otherwise limit the right 
of a public or private employer to prohibit persons who are licensed 
under this subchapter from carrying a concealed handgun on the 
premises of the business.
	(b)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a 
public or private employer may not establish, maintain, or enforce 
any policy or rule that has the effect of prohibiting a person 
licensed under this subchapter from transporting or storing a 
concealed handgun in a locked vehicle in any parking lot, parking 
garage, or other designated parking area.  A private employer may 
prohibit an employee from transporting or storing a concealed 
handgun in a vehicle in a parking lot, parking garage, or other 
parking area the employer provides for employees if:
		(1)  the parking lot, garage, or other area is 
completely surrounded by a gate and is not open to the public; and
		(2)  ingress to and egress from the parking lot, 
garage, or other area is monitored by security personnel.
	(c)  A public or private employer is not liable in a civil 
action for damages resulting from an occurrence involving the 
possession of a concealed handgun by a person licensed under this 
subchapter.
	(d)  This section does not authorize a person licensed under 
this subchapter to carry a concealed handgun on any premises where 
the carrying of a concealed handgun is prohibited by state or 
federal law.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.