Bill > HB1340

This bill modifies Texas law to expand who can serve as armed security officers at public schools and grant additional weapon-carrying permissions. Specifically, the bill allows current or former licensed federal law enforcement agents to serve as security officers at schools, in addition to existing categories like school district peace officers and school resource officers. The bill also authorizes the governor-appointed chief of school safety and security for the Texas Education Agency to carry a weapon on any school district or charter school campus, provided they are a commissioned peace officer or a federal law enforcement agent authorized to carry a weapon while on duty. Additionally, the bill creates a legal exception in the Penal Code to permit the chief of school safety and security to carry a weapon on school premises without violating existing weapons restrictions. The changes will apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, and the bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the necessary immediate-effect votes.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1340