The bill would amend the Penal Code to allow emergency services personnel providing services in a county with a population of 50,000 or less to carry a concealed handgun. The bill creates an exception for the affected certain emergency services personnel for the offenses of unlawful carrying of a handgun by a license holder, trespassing by someone with a license to carry a concealed handgun, unlawful carrying a weapon, and carrying a weapon in places that are prohibited.  These offenses are punishable by a Class A misdemeanor or a third degree felony, depending on the circumstances. 

A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year and in addition to confinement, and optional fine to exceed $4,000.  A third-degree felony is punishable by confinement in prison for a term of two to ten years and, in addition to confinement, an optional fine not to exceed $10,000.  The impact of the bill on correctional populations would depend on how many fewer persons would be prosecuted under the proposed statute compared to existing statute.   It is assumed that the number of offenders supervised or incarcerated under this statute would not significantly impact state correctional agency resources.