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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to prohibiting certain establishments serving the public |
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from restricting a peace officer or special investigator from |
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carrying a weapon on the premises. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Article 2.1305 to read as follows: |
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Art. 2.1305. CARRYING WEAPON ON CERTAIN PREMISES. (a) An |
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establishment serving the public may not prohibit or otherwise |
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restrict a peace officer or special investigator from carrying on |
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the establishment's premises a weapon that the peace officer or |
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special investigator is otherwise authorized to carry, regardless |
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of whether the peace officer or special investigator is engaged in |
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the actual discharge of the officer's or investigator's duties |
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while carrying the weapon. |
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(b) For purposes of this article: |
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(1) "Establishment serving the public" means: |
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(A) a hotel, motel, or other place of lodging; |
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(B) a restaurant or other place where food is |
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offered for sale to the public; |
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(C) a retail business or other commercial |
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establishment or an office building to which the general public is |
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invited; |
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(D) a sports venue; and |
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(E) any other place of public accommodation, |
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amusement, convenience, or resort to which the general public or |
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any classification of persons from the general public is regularly, |
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normally, or customarily invited. |
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(2) "Sports venue" means an arena, coliseum, stadium, |
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or other type of area or facility that is primarily used or is |
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planned for primary use for one or more professional or amateur |
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sports or athletics events and for which a fee is charged or is |
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planned to be charged for admission to the sports or athletics |
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events, other than occasional civic, charitable, or promotional |
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events. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to conduct that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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Conduct that occurs before the effective date of this Act is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the conduct occurred, and |
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the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |