The bill 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 the previously allowed concealed carry. Specifically, it stipulates that school marshals may carry a concealed handgun, openly carry a handgun if they are in uniform, or possess a handgun in a locked and secured location on school premises. The written regulations governing these actions must also ensure that any handgun carried or possessed is loaded only with frangible duty ammunition approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Similar provisions are established for school marshals at private schools and public junior colleges, allowing them to carry handguns under the same conditions. The bill also clarifies that regulations must not require school marshals to store their handguns in locked containers while on duty. This legislation is set to take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, with immediate effect possible if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature.

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