BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4007

By: Slawson

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Public school districts are constantly looking for additional ways to protect students while they are on district campuses. Currently, uniformed school marshals are unable to adequately protect students due to a statutory requirement that school marshals keep their handgun concealed while on school premises. This can inhibit the marshal's ability to quickly access their handgun in a time of imminent danger or need. H.B. 4007 seeks to allow school marshals wearing a uniform identifying themselves as a school marshal to openly carry their handgun.

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

H.B. 4007 amends the Education Code to remove language requiring the concealment of a handgun carried by a school marshal appointed by a public school, private school, or public junior college on the premises of that school or college, as applicable. The bill authorizes a school marshal who is wearing a uniform identifying themselves as such to openly carry a handgun on their person. The bill applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.