S.B. No. 870 amends the Education Code to allow school marshals, appointed by school district boards or governing bodies of open-enrollment charter schools, to openly carry handguns while in uniform, in addition to carrying concealed handguns. The bill specifies that written regulations adopted by the governing bodies must permit school marshals to carry a concealed handgun, openly carry a handgun if in uniform, or possess a handgun in a locked and secured location on school premises. Additionally, the bill mandates that any handgun carried or possessed by a school marshal must be loaded only with frangible duty ammunition approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

The bill also extends similar provisions to school marshals at private schools and public junior colleges, allowing them to carry handguns under the same conditions. Notably, it removes the requirement for handguns to be concealed and introduces the option for open carry while in uniform. The act is set to take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, unless it receives a two-thirds vote for immediate effect.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.0811, Education Code 37.0813, Education Code 51.220 (Education Code 51, Education Code 37)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 37.0811, Education Code 37.0813, Education Code 51.220 (Education Code 51, Education Code 37)
Engrossed: Education Code 37.0811, Education Code 37.0813, Education Code 51.220 (Education Code 51, Education Code 37)
House Committee Report: Education Code 37.0811, Education Code 37.0813, Education Code 51.220 (Education Code 51, Education Code 37)
Enrolled: Education Code 37.0811, Education Code 37.0813, Education Code 51.220 (Education Code 51, Education Code 37)