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AN ACT
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relating to firearms training for county jailers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1701.2561 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1701.2561. FIREARMS TRAINING FOR COUNTY JAILERS. (a) |
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The commission shall develop a basic training program in the use of |
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firearms by county jailers. The program must provide instruction |
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in: |
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(1) legal limitations on the use of firearms and on the |
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powers and authority of jailers; |
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(2) range firing and procedure; |
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(3) firearms safety and maintenance; and |
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(4) other topics determined by the commission to be |
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necessary for the responsible use of firearms by jailers. |
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(b) The commission shall administer the training program |
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and shall issue a certificate of firearms proficiency to each |
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county jailer the commission determines has successfully completed |
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the program. |
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(c) A county jailer who is issued a certificate of firearms |
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proficiency and who maintains weapons proficiency in accordance |
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with Section 1701.355 may carry a firearm: |
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(1) during the course of performing duties as a county |
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jailer, including while transporting persons confined in the county |
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jail; and |
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(2) while traveling to or from the jailer's place of |
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assignment. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1701.355, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a-1) An agency that employs one or more county jailers who |
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have been issued a certificate of firearms proficiency under |
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Section 1701.2561 shall designate a firearms proficiency officer |
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and require the jailers to demonstrate weapons proficiency to the |
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firearms proficiency officer at least annually. The agency shall |
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maintain records of the weapons proficiency of the agency's |
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jailers. A county jailer's failure to demonstrate weapons |
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proficiency does not affect the county jailer's license under this |
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chapter. |
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(b) On request, the commission may waive the requirement |
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that a peace officer or county jailer demonstrate weapons |
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proficiency on a determination by the commission that the |
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requirement causes a hardship. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
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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. 3503 was passed by the House on May |
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10, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 0, 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. 3503 was passed by the Senate on May |
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20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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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 |