AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Many Texas hospitals currently employ peace officers, but only a handful of hospital districts are included among them. In order for a hospital district to be authorized to commission and employ peace officers, it must have that authority granted in the Health and Safety Code. Currently, the code only authorizes the Dallas County Hospital District, the Tarrant County Hospital District, and the Bexar County Hospital District to commission and employ peace officers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1024, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 1024.117, as follows:
Sec. 1024.117. EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS. (a) Authorizes the board of directors of the Ector County Hospital District (board; district) to employ and commission peace officers for the district.
(b) Provides that the jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes the property owned or controlled by the district.
(c) Provides that, in a district peace officer's jurisdiction, the peace officer has the authority granted by Chapter 14 (Arrest Without Warrant), Code of Criminal Procedure.
SECTION 2. Amends Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, to set forth certain individuals who are peace officers, including officers commissioned by the board of the district under Section 1024.117, Special District Local Laws Code.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.