The bill, H.B. No. 1561, seeks to amend the Local Government Code and the Occupations Code to allow legal permanent residents to be licensed as county jailers by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. It modifies the existing law to replace the term "veterans" with "legal permanent residents" in the context of appointing or employing individuals for positions requiring licensure. Specifically, it allows political subdivisions to appoint or employ legal permanent residents as county jailers if they hold the appropriate license, and it also permits the hiring of legal permanent residents for other positions if they are honorably discharged veterans with at least two years of service.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement must issue licenses to legal permanent residents who meet specific criteria, including being an honorably discharged veteran and having applied for U.S. citizenship. It also outlines the hiring process for law enforcement agencies, which must verify the legal status of applicants, including proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency. The bill mandates that the Commission amend its rules by December 1, 2025, to align with these changes, and it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 1701.3095, Occupations Code 1701.451 (Occupations Code 1701)