By: Estes S.B. No. 1448
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to restricting employers from prohibiting certain
  employees from carrying, transporting, storing, or using handguns
  or ammunition.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter G, Chapter 52, Labor
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G. RESTRICTIONS ON PROHIBITING EMPLOYEE
  TRANSPORTATION, CARRYING, USE, OR STORAGE OF CERTAIN FIREARMS OR
  AMMUNITION
         SECTION 2.  Section 52.063, Labor Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 52.063.  IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL LIABILITY. (a) Except in
  cases of gross negligence, a public or private employer, or the
  employer's principal, officer, director, employee, or agent, is not
  liable in a civil action for personal injury, death, property
  damage, or any other damages resulting from or arising out of an
  occurrence involving a firearm or ammunition that the employer is
  required to allow an employee to carry, transport, or store [on the
  employer's property] under this subchapter.
         (b)  The presence of a firearm or ammunition on an employer's
  property, in an employee's vehicle, or on an employee's person under
  the authority of this subchapter does not by itself constitute a
  failure by the employer to provide a safe workplace.
         (c)  For purposes of this section, a public or private
  employer, or the employer's principal, officer, director,
  employee, or agent, does not have a duty:
               (1)  to patrol, inspect, or secure:
                     (A)  any parking lot, parking garage, or other
  parking area the employer provides for employees; or
                     (B)  any privately owned motor vehicle located in
  a parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area described by
  Paragraph (A); or
               (2)  to investigate, confirm, or determine:
                     (A)  whether an employee is licensed to carry a
  handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code; or
                     (B)  an employee's compliance with laws related to
  the ownership or possession of a firearm or ammunition or the
  transportation and storage of a firearm or ammunition.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter G, Chapter 52, Labor Code, is amended
  by adding Sections 52.065, 52.066, 52.067, and 52.068 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 52.065.  RESTRICTION ON PROHIBITING CERTAIN EMPLOYEES
  FROM TRANSPORTING HANDGUNS IN CERTAIN VEHICLES. A public or
  private employer may not prohibit an employee who holds a license to
  carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,
  from transporting or storing a handgun or ammunition the employee
  is authorized by law to possess in a motor vehicle that is owned or
  leased by the employee when the vehicle is not located on property
  owned or leased by the employer, regardless of whether the employee
  is engaged in performing duties on behalf of the employer.
         Sec. 52.066.  RESTRICTION ON PROHIBITING CERTAIN EMPLOYEES
  FROM CARRYING HANDGUNS. A public or private employer may not
  prohibit an employee who holds a license to carry a handgun under
  Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, from carrying a
  concealed handgun or ammunition the employee is authorized by law
  to possess on the employee's person when the employee is not on
  property owned or leased by the employer, regardless of whether the
  employee is engaged in performing duties on behalf of the employer.
         Sec. 52.067.  RESTRICTION ON PROHIBITING CERTAIN EMPLOYEES
  FROM USING HANDGUNS IN SELF-DEFENSE. A public or private employer
  may not prohibit an employee who holds a license to carry a handgun
  under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, from using a
  firearm or ammunition under circumstances that justify the use
  pursuant to Sections 9.04, 9.31, or 9.32, Penal Code.
         Sec. 52.068.  REMEDIES; INJUNCTION; ATTORNEY'S FEES. (a) A
  public or private employer who violates this subchapter is liable
  for reasonable damages and attorney's fees incurred by the employee
  as a result of the violation.
         (b)  An employee discharged in violation of this subchapter
  is entitled to reinstatement in the employee's former position of
  employment.
         (c)  A district court may restrain, for cause shown, a
  violation of this subchapter.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.