85R1741 ADM-D
	By: Wray	H.B. No. 981

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the carrying of handguns by and an exemption from
	application of the Private Security Act of certain persons who
	provide security services on a volunteer basis at an established
	place of religious worship.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter N, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is
	amended by adding Section 1702.333 to read as follows:
	Sec. 1702.333.  PLACE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP; CERTAIN
	VOLUNTEERS. (a) This chapter does not apply to a person who
	complies with Subsection (b) and who is approved by the leadership
	of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious
	worship to provide security services on the premises of the place of
	religious worship as a member of a volunteer safety group.
	(b)  While serving as a member of a volunteer safety group, a
	person may not:
	(1)  wear a uniform, badge, patch, or other item that
	would give the member the appearance of being a peace officer,
	personal protection officer, or security officer; or
	(2)  carry an object displaying a word or phrase,
	including the word "security," that would give the person the
	appearance of being a peace officer, personal protection officer,
	or security officer.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 411.2035 to read as follows:
	Sec. 411.2035.  CARRYING OF HANDGUNS ON PREMISES OF PLACE OF
	RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. (a) This section applies only to a person who
	is providing security services to a church, synagogue, or other
	established place of religious worship as a member of a volunteer
	safety group of the place of religious worship as described by
	Section 1702.333, Occupations Code.
	(b)  A person described by Subsection (a) who is licensed to
	carry a handgun under this subchapter may carry a handgun on the
	premises of the applicable place of religious worship only on
	approval by the leadership of the place of religious worship.
	SECTION 3.  Section 46.035(b), Penal Code, is amended 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, unless
	the license holder has written authorization 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, unless:
	(A)  the license holder is providing security
	services to a church, synagogue, or other established place of
	religious worship as a member of a volunteer safety group of the
	place of religious worship as described by Section 1702.333,
	Occupations Code; and
	(B)  the leadership of the place of religious
	worship has approved the carrying of the handgun by the license
	holder.
	SECTION 4.  The change in law made by this Act to Section
	46.035, Penal Code, 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.