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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to prohibition of certain motor vehicles resembling |
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emergency medical services vehicles; creating a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 773, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 773.017 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 773.017. USE OF CERTAIN EXTERNAL MOTOR VEHICLE |
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MARKINGS OR FEATURES PROHIBITED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person |
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may not operate a motor vehicle in this state that resembles an |
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emergency medical services vehicle unless the person uses the motor |
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vehicle as an emergency medical services vehicle under this chapter |
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or the person uses the motor vehicle for other legitimate |
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governmental functions, including police or fire services. |
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(b) A motor vehicle resembles an emergency medical services |
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vehicle if the motor vehicle has on the exterior of the motor |
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vehicle any of the following markings or features: |
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(1) the word "ambulance" or a derivation of that word; |
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(2) a star of life as trademarked by the National |
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Highway Traffic Safety Administration; |
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(3) a Maltese cross commonly used by fire departments; |
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(4) forward-facing flashing red, white, or blue |
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lights; |
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(5) a siren; |
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(6) the words "critical care transport," "emergency," |
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"emergency medical services," or "mobile intensive care unit"; or |
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(7) the acronym "EMS" or "MICU". |
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(c) A person commits an offense if the person violates this |
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section. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |