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 addition allows these federal agents to serve as armed security officers in public schools, alongside school district peace officers and school resource officers. The bill also establishes a new section that permits the chief of school safety and security for the Texas Education Agency, appointed by the governor, to carry a weapon on school grounds if they are a commissioned peace officer or a licensed federal law enforcement agent.

Additionally, the bill modifies the Penal Code to exempt the chief of school safety and security from certain restrictions on carrying weapons on school premises, provided they are authorized under the new section added to the Education Code. The changes 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 (Penal Code 46, Education Code 37)