H.B. No. 3503
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to firearms training for county jailers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1701.2561 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1701.2561.  FIREARMS TRAINING FOR COUNTY JAILERS. (a)  
  The commission shall develop a basic training program in the use of
  firearms by county jailers.  The program must provide instruction
  in:
               (1)  legal limitations on the use of firearms and on the
  powers and authority of jailers;
               (2)  range firing and procedure;
               (3)  firearms safety and maintenance; and
               (4)  other topics determined by the commission to be
  necessary for the responsible use of firearms by jailers.
         (b)  The commission shall administer the training program
  and shall issue a certificate of firearms proficiency to each
  county jailer the commission determines has successfully completed
  the program.
         (c)  A county jailer who is issued a certificate of firearms
  proficiency and who maintains weapons proficiency in accordance
  with Section 1701.355 may carry a firearm:
               (1)  during the course of performing duties as a county
  jailer, including while transporting persons confined in the county
  jail; and
               (2)  while traveling to or from the jailer's place of
  assignment.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1701.355, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as
  follows:
         (a-1)  An agency that employs one or more county jailers who
  have been issued a certificate of firearms proficiency under
  Section 1701.2561 shall designate a firearms proficiency officer
  and require the jailers to demonstrate weapons proficiency to the
  firearms proficiency officer at least annually.  The agency shall
  maintain records of the weapons proficiency of the agency's
  jailers.  A county jailer's failure to demonstrate weapons
  proficiency does not affect the county jailer's license under this
  chapter.
         (b)  On request, the commission may waive the requirement
  that a peace officer or county jailer demonstrate weapons
  proficiency on a determination by the commission that the
  requirement causes a hardship.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3503 was passed by the House on May
  10, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3503 was passed by the Senate on May
  20, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor