BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 535

By: Campbell

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to provide churches, synagogues, and other established places of religious worship the same right enjoyed by other private property owners to decide whether to allow a handgun license holder to carry a handgun on their premises. S.B. 535 seeks to do so by removing these places of worship from the premises on which a license holder carrying a handgun constitutes an offense.

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

S.B. 535 amends the Penal Code to remove the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship from the premises on which the intentional, knowing, or reckless carrying of a handgun by a handgun license holder constitutes an offense.       

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.