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AN ACT
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relating to a 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: |
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(1) as an emergency medical services vehicle under |
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this chapter; or |
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(2) for other legitimate governmental functions, |
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including police or firefighting 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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(d) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle bearing a |
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license plate issued or approved under Section 504.501 or 504.502, |
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Transportation Code. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1249 was passed by the House on May 6, |
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2017, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 5, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1249 was passed by the Senate on May |
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19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |