BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 421

By: Rinaldi

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the Private Security Act restricts a place of religious worship from creating a volunteer security patrol without meeting stringent licensing requirements. These parties note that providing security services without the required licenses may subject a place of religious worship and its volunteers to a fine. C.S.H.B. 421 attempts to address these concerns by exempting volunteers providing security services at a place of religious worship from the Private Security Act.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 421 amends the Occupations Code to exempt a person who is providing volunteer security services on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship from the Private Security Act. The bill prohibits such a person from wearing a uniform or badge that contains the word "security" or that gives the person the appearance of being a peace officer, personal protection officer, or security officer.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 421 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subchapter N, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1702.333 to read as follows: Sec. 1702.333.  PLACE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP; CERTAIN VOLUNTEERS.  This chapter does not apply to a person who is providing volunteer security services on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.	SECTION 1.  Subchapter N, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1702.333 to read as follows: Sec. 1702.333.  PLACE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP; CERTAIN VOLUNTEERS.  (a)  In this section, "volunteer security services" means services or activities that are: (1)  regulated under this chapter; and (2)  provided without compensation or remuneration. (b)  This chapter does not apply to a person who is providing volunteer security services on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship. (c)  While providing volunteer security services under Subsection (b), a person may not wear a uniform or badge that: (1)  contains the word "security"; or (2)  gives the person the appearance of being a peace officer, personal protection officer, or security officer.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.