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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority to organize volunteer safety groups at |
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churches, synagogues, and other places of religious worship. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter N, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1702.333 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1702.333. PLACE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. (a) This |
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chapter does not apply to a church, synagogue, or other established |
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place of religious worship that forms a volunteer safety group, if |
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each member of the safety group complies with Subsection (b) and: |
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(1) is a member of the place of religious worship; |
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(2) is approved by the leadership of the place of |
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religious worship to serve on the safety group; and |
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(3) is licensed by the state to carry a concealed |
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handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code. |
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(b) When performing duties for a volunteer safety group |
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under this section, a group member may not: |
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(1) wear a uniform, badge, patch, or other item that |
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would give the member the appearance of being a law enforcement |
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officer or security guard; or |
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(2) incorporate a word or phrase on any object in a |
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manner that would give the member the appearance of being a law |
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enforcement officer or security guard, including the use of the |
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word "security." |
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SECTION 2. Subsection (b), Section 46.035, Penal Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license |
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holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun |
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under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, |
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regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the |
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license holder's person: |
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(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or |
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license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic |
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Beverage Code, if the business derives 51 percent or more of its |
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income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for |
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on-premises consumption, as determined by the Texas Alcoholic |
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Beverage Commission under Section 104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code; |
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(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, |
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or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking |
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place, unless the license holder is a participant in the event and a |
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handgun is used in the event; |
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(3) on the premises of a correctional facility; |
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(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under |
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Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing |
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home licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the |
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license holder has written authorization of the hospital or nursing |
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home administration, as appropriate; |
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(5) in an amusement park; or |
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(6) except as provided by Section 1702.333, |
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Occupations Code, on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other |
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established place of religious worship. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |