S.B. No. 434 amends the Health and Safety Code to grant the Harris County Hospital District the authority to employ and commission peace officers, similar to the existing provisions for other county hospital districts such as Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, and El Paso. Specifically, the bill modifies Section 281.057(a) by adding the Harris County Hospital District to the list of districts authorized to employ peace officers, while removing El Paso County Hospital District from that list.

Additionally, the bill updates Article 2A.001 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to include officers commissioned by the Harris County Hospital District under Section 281.057, thereby formally recognizing them as peace officers alongside other law enforcement entities. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 281.057 (Health and Safety Code 281)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 281.057 (Health and Safety Code 281)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 281.057 (Health and Safety Code 281)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 281.057 (Health and Safety Code 281)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 281.057 (Health and Safety Code 281)