86R1498 JG-D
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 53
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a request for 9-1-1 service by text message and the
  provision of available contact information.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 771A, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Section 771A.002 to read as follows:
         Sec. 771A.002.  ACCESS TO 9-1-1 SERVICE BY TEXT MESSAGE;
  AVAILABLE CONTACT INFORMATION. (a) In this section, "public
  safety answering point" has the meaning assigned by Section
  771.001.
         (b)  To the extent practicable and within available
  resources, a public safety answering point shall receive emergency
  9-1-1 communications by calls and text messages.
         (c)  In this chapter and Chapters 771 and 772, any reference
  to a call for emergency services received by a public safety
  answering point that has implemented a system allowing emergency
  9-1-1 communications by text message means a call or text message.
         (d)  In this chapter and Chapters 771 and 772, a provision
  referring to a telephone number associated with a call or text
  message for emergency services applies only to a call or text
  message originating from a device associated with a telephone
  number.
         (e)  A provider or user shall provide to the public safety
  answering point any other relevant and available contact
  information of a person requesting emergency services using a
  device not associated with a telephone number.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.