The bill, S.B. No. 870, amends the Education Code to allow uniformed school marshals to openly carry handguns on school premises, in addition to the existing provision for concealed carry. Specifically, it modifies Sections 37.0811, 37.0813, and 51.220 to stipulate that school marshals may carry a concealed handgun or, if in uniform, openly carry a handgun. The bill also allows for the possession of handguns in locked and secured locations on school grounds. Furthermore, it mandates that any handguns carried or possessed by school marshals must be loaded only with frangible duty ammunition approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

The bill includes several key insertions, such as the requirement for written regulations to specify that school marshals can carry handguns in both concealed and open manners, depending on their uniform status. It also clarifies that the regulations must not require marshals to store their handguns in locked containers while on duty. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and it will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.0811, Education Code 37.0813, Education Code 51.220 (Education Code 37, Education Code 51)