Bill > SB870

This bill amends the Texas Education Code to expand the rights of school marshals (armed security personnel in educational settings) regarding handgun carry. Specifically, the bill allows uniformed school marshals in public school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, private schools, and public junior colleges to not only carry concealed handguns but also openly carry handguns while wearing a uniform that clearly identifies them as school marshals. The bill maintains existing requirements that handguns must be loaded only with frangible duty ammunition approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, and the specific regulations for carrying must be established in writing by the governing body of each educational institution. School marshals will continue to have the option of carrying a handgun on their person or storing it in a locked, secure location on school premises. The changes will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, and the bill becomes effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas Legislature, or otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Education, Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB870