84R11970 SCL-D
 
  By: Goldman H.B. No. 2722
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibition of certain motor vehicles resembling
  emergency medical services vehicles; creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 773.017 to read as follows:
         Sec. 773.017.  USE OF CERTAIN EXTERNAL MOTOR VEHICLE
  MARKINGS OR FEATURES PROHIBITED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person
  may not operate a motor vehicle in this state that resembles an
  emergency medical services vehicle unless the person uses the motor
  vehicle as an emergency medical services vehicle under this chapter
  or the person uses the motor vehicle for other legitimate
  governmental functions, including police or fire services.
         (b)  A motor vehicle resembles an emergency medical services
  vehicle if the motor vehicle has on the exterior of the motor
  vehicle any of the following markings or features:
               (1)  the word "ambulance" or a derivation of that word;
               (2)  a star of life as trademarked by the National
  Highway Traffic Safety Administration;
               (3)  a Maltese cross commonly used by fire departments;
               (4)  forward-facing flashing red, white, or blue
  lights;
               (5)  a siren;
               (6)  the words "critical care transport," "emergency,"
  "emergency medical services," or "mobile intensive care unit"; or
               (7)  the acronym "EMS" or "MICU".
         (c)  A person commits an offense if the person violates this
  section. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.