Bill Text: TX SB577 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the offense involving the carrying of handguns by license holders on the premises of state hospitals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-08 - Referred to State Affairs [SB577 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SB577-Introduced.html

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85R5323 AJZ-D
By: Nichols S.B. No. 577

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the offense involving the carrying of handguns by
license holders on the premises of state hospitals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 411.204, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
follows:
(b) A hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety
Code, [or] a nursing facility [home] licensed under Chapter 242,
Health and Safety Code, or a state hospital shall prominently
display at each entrance to the hospital or facility [nursing
home], as appropriate, a sign that complies with the requirements
of Subsection (c) other than the requirement that the sign include
on its face the number "51".
(f) In this section, "state hospital" means the following
facilities:
(1) the Austin State Hospital;
(2) the Big Spring State Hospital;
(3) the El Paso Psychiatric Center;
(4) the Kerrville State Hospital;
(5) the North Texas State Hospital;
(6) the Rio Grande State Center;
(7) the Rusk State Hospital;
(8) the San Antonio State Hospital;
(9) the Terrell State Hospital; and
(10) the Waco Center for Youth.
SECTION 2. Section 46.035, Penal Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b) and (i) and adding Subsection (i-1) to
read as follows:
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license
holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun
under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,
regardless of whether the handgun is concealed or carried in a
shoulder or belt holster, on or about the license holder's person:
(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or
license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic
Beverage Code, if the business derives 51 percent or more of its
income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for
on-premises consumption, as determined by the Texas Alcoholic
Beverage Commission under Section 104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate,
or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking
place, unless the license holder is a participant in the event and a
handgun is used in the event;
(3) on the premises of a correctional facility;
(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under
Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, [or on the premises of] a
nursing facility licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety
Code, or a state hospital unless the license holder has written
authorization of the administration of the hospital or [nursing]
facility [administration], as appropriate;
(5) in an amusement park; or
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other
established place of religious worship.
(i) Subsections [(b)(4),] (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not
apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section
30.06 or 30.07.
(i-1) Subsection (b)(4) does not apply if the actor was not
given effective notice under Section 30.06 or 30.07 or under
Section 411.204, Government Code.
SECTION 3. Section 46.035(f), Penal Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows:
(4) "State hospital" means the following facilities:
(A) the Austin State Hospital;
(B) the Big Spring State Hospital;
(C) the El Paso Psychiatric Center;
(D) the Kerrville State Hospital;
(E) the North Texas State Hospital;
(F) the Rio Grande State Center;
(G) the Rusk State Hospital;
(H) the San Antonio State Hospital;
(I) the Terrell State Hospital; and
(J) the Waco Center for Youth.
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
before that date.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.