The bill, introduced by Senator Zaffirini, aims to enhance court security in Texas by establishing a framework for developing court emergency management plans and defining the roles and responsibilities of court security committees. Key provisions include the requirement for commissioners courts and municipal governing bodies to prioritize recommendations from court security committees regarding security funding. Additionally, the bill mandates that these committees develop emergency management plans and outlines their composition, which includes representatives from law enforcement and local government. Notably, the bill clarifies that court security committees are not considered governmental bodies under Chapter 551 of the Government Code.

Furthermore, the bill increases the criminal penalties for harassment of court employees and judges. It redefines terms related to court employees and introduces stricter classifications for offenses against them, escalating penalties based on the nature of the offense and the status of the victim. The legislation aims to provide greater protection for court personnel and ensure that adequate security measures are in place within the judicial system. The bill is set to take effect 91 days after the conclusion of the legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 29.014, Government Code 30.00007, Government Code 72.015, Penal Code 42.07 (Government Code 72, Penal Code 42, Government Code 29, Government Code 30)