BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 543

By: Seliger

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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 to it in the Health and Safety Code.

S.B. 543 allows the Midland County Hospital District to commission and employ peace officers as a security force to protect patients, staff, and visitors at Medical Center Hospital.

S.B. 543 amends current law relating to the authority of the Midland County Hospital District of Midland County, Texas, to employ and commission peace officers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1061, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 1061.121, as follows:

Sec. 1061.121. EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS. (a) Authorizes the board of directors of the Midland County Hospital District of Midland County, Texas (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 a peace officer, in the district peace officer's jurisdiction, 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 add officers commissioned by certain boards, including the board of directors of the district under Section 1061.121, Special District Local Laws Code, to the list of certain individuals who are peace officers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.