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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of and lighting equipment for medical |
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examiner vehicles and vehicles operated by justices of the peace in |
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certain circumstances. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 545.156, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 545.156. VEHICLE APPROACHED BY AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY |
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VEHICLE. (a) This section applies only to: |
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(1) [On the immediate approach of] an authorized |
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emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the |
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requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702; |
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(2) a medical examiner vehicle, as defined by Section |
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547.751, lawfully using a visual signal in accordance with that |
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section; |
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(3) a vehicle operated by a justice of the peace for a |
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purpose described by Section 547.752 and lawfully using a visual |
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signal in accordance with that section; and |
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(4) [, or of] a police vehicle lawfully using only an |
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audible or visual signal. |
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(a-1) On the immediate approach of a vehicle described by |
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Subsection (a), an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police |
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officer, shall: |
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(1) yield the right-of-way; |
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(2) immediately drive to a position parallel to and as |
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close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway |
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clear of any intersection; and |
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(3) stop and remain standing until the authorized |
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emergency vehicle has passed. |
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(b) This section does not exempt the operator of a [an |
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authorized emergency] vehicle described by Subsection (a) from the |
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duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using |
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the highway. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 547, Transportation Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter L-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER L-1. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR |
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MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES AND VEHICLES OPERATED BY JUSTICES OF THE |
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PEACE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES |
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Sec. 547.751. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR |
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MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "medical examiner |
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vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is owned or leased by a |
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governmental entity for use by a medical examiner or an employee of |
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an office of a medical examiner in the performance of the examiner's |
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or employee's duties relating to an inquest conducted under |
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Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure. |
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(b) A medical examiner vehicle may be equipped with either: |
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(1) mounted signal lamps that comply with the |
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requirements of Section 547.702(c); or |
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(2) a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the |
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vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance |
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of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight. |
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(c) The operator of a medical examiner vehicle may use the |
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lighting equipment described by Subsection (b) only when: |
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(1) necessary to warn other vehicle operators or |
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pedestrians of the approach of the medical examiner vehicle; and |
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(2) operating the vehicle in the course and scope of |
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the operator's duties relating to an inquest conducted under |
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Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure. |
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Sec. 547.752. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR |
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VEHICLES OPERATED BY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN CERTAIN |
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CIRCUMSTANCES. (a) A vehicle operated by a justice of the peace in |
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the course and scope of the justice's duties as a coroner under |
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Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, may be |
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equipped with either: |
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(1) mounted signal lamps that comply with the |
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requirements of Section 547.702(c); or |
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(2) a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the |
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vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance |
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of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight. |
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(b) A justice of the peace may use the lighting equipment |
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described by Subsection (a) only when: |
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(1) necessary to warn other vehicle operators or |
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pedestrians of the approach of a vehicle operated by a justice of |
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the peace; and |
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(2) operating the vehicle in the course and scope of |
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the justice's duties relating to an inquest conducted under |
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Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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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. 2616 was passed by the House on May 5, |
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2023, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 2, 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. 2616 was passed by the Senate on May |
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21, 2023, 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 |