BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 319
86R4293 SRA-F	By: Perry
	Intergovernmental Relations
	2/28/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Hospitals are facing increased security risks. The Lubbock County Hospital District wishes to battle these security risks by employing their own peace officers to provide a more secure environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Current hospital districts that commission peace officers include: Dallas County, Tarrant County, Bexar County, El Paso County, Ector County, and Midland County. Lubbock County wishes to be added to the list.

Currently, the Lubbock District has begun to employ security officers, trained and licensed through the Texas Private Security Bureau with oversight of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Having the ability to employ and commission district peace officers would provide a professional, highly-trained security force dedicated to the safety and security of the district's patients, visitors, and staff. In addition to their regular law enforcement training, these peace officers would be trained in situations unique to hospitals and healthcare settings.

The sole purpose of this bill is to add Lubbock County to the list of hospital districts that already have the ability to commission and employ peace officers in order to increase safety and security at hospitals.

The proposed legislation amends the Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 1053, Subchapter C, and adds Section 1053.113 regarding to the authority of the Lubbock County Hospital District to employ and commission peace officers.

The bill also amends the Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 2.12, to add Lubbock County Hospital District to the list of authorized board of directors from other counties who can commission peace officers for their hospital districts.

As proposed, S.B. 319 amends current law relating to the authority of the Lubbock County Hospital District of Lubbock County, Texas, to employ and commission peace officers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1053, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 1053.113, as follows:

Sec. 1053.113. EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT PEACE OFFICERS. (a) Authorizes the board of hospital managers of the district (board) to employ and commission peace officers for the Lubbock County Hospital District of Lubbock County, Texas (district).

(b) Provides that the jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes the property owned or controlled by the district.

(c) Provides that in a district peace officer's jurisdiction, the peace officer has the authority granted by Chapter 14 (Arrest Without Warrant), Code of Criminal Procedure.

SECTION 2. Amends Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows:

Art. 2.12. WHO ARE PEACE OFFICERS. Includes officers commissioned by the board of the district under Section 1053.113, Special District Local Law Code, in the definition of "peace officer." Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.