By: Gutierrez S.B. No. 737

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of the Texas School Patrol.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter S to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER S. TEXAS SCHOOL PATROL

Sec. 411.534. COMPOSITION. The Texas School Patrol is a division of the department consisting of the chief school patrol officer, the number of captains, sergeants, and privates authorized by the legislature, and administrative and clerical help as the commission determines. A person's literary attainment does not preclude the person's appointment as a private if the person is otherwise qualified. The chief school patrol officer is the executive officer of the school patrol. Officers are entitled to compensation as provided by the legislature.

Sec. 411.535. POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. The Texas School Patrol shall have at least one officer present at each campus of every public school and higher education facility in Texas. In addition to the powers and duties provided by law for the officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted persons of the Texas School Patrol, they have the powers and authority provided by law for members of the Texas Rangers force.

Sec. 411.536. CERTAIN EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES. The department shall equip each officer of the Texas School Patrol in discharging the officers' official duties at public schools with all the necessary equipment needed to respond to a mass shooting at an educational institution, including bullet resistant shields.

Sec. 411.537. NECESSARY TRAINING. The Texas School Patrol shall coordinate training with local law enforcement officials concerning emergency response to mass shootings at educational institutions in Texas.

SECTION 2. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.