The bill amends the Education Code to allow school marshals, appointed by school districts or governing bodies of charter schools, to openly carry handguns while in uniform, in addition to the existing provision for carrying concealed handguns. Specifically, it modifies Sections 37.0811 and 37.0813 to state that school marshals may carry a concealed handgun or, if wearing a uniform identifying them as a school marshal, openly carry a handgun on their person. The bill also stipulates that handguns must be stored in a locked and secured location when not in use and must be loaded only with frangible duty ammunition approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Furthermore, the bill includes similar provisions for school marshals at public junior colleges, amending Section 51.220 to allow for both concealed and open carry under specified regulations. The written regulations must ensure that the handguns are stored securely and loaded with the appropriate ammunition. The changes will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and the bill will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; 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 51, Education Code 37)