The bill amends the Local Government Code and the Occupations Code to allow legal permanent residents of the United States to be licensed as county jailers by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Specifically, it modifies Section 370.007 to replace the term "veterans" with "legal permanent residents" in the context of appointing or employing individuals for positions requiring licensure. Additionally, it allows political subdivisions to appoint or employ legal permanent residents as county jailers if they hold the appropriate license, and it establishes criteria for issuing licenses to these residents, including the requirement to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Furthermore, the bill updates the hiring process for law enforcement agencies by requiring them to verify the legal status of applicants, including proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency. It mandates that the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement amend its rules by December 1, 2025, to align with these changes, and specifies that the new hiring provisions will only apply to hires made after this date. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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