H.B. No. 1340 amends the Texas Education Code to expand the definition of security officers at public schools to include current or former licensed federal law enforcement agents who are authorized to carry a weapon while on duty. This change is made by adding a new category to the existing list of security personnel, which previously included only school district peace officers and school resource officers. Additionally, the bill establishes a new section that allows the chief of school safety and security for the Texas Education Agency to carry a weapon on school grounds, provided they are a commissioned peace officer or a licensed federal law enforcement agent.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the Penal Code to exempt the chief of school safety and security from certain restrictions on carrying weapons in public schools, as long as they are authorized under the new provisions. The amendments will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and the bill will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.0814, Penal Code 46.15 (Education Code 37, Penal Code 46)