1. (a) A municipal or county department or private entity that employs or supervises first responders providing services for a municipality or county to which this chapter applies may adopt a policy authorizing a first responder who is employed or supervised by the municipal or county department or private entity and who holds a license to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, an unexpired certificate of completion from the department under Section 411.1883(d), Government Code, and the required liability policy under Section 179.053 to:

   1. (1) carry a concealed or holstered handgun while on duty; or
   2. (2) store a handgun on the premises of or in a vehicle owned or leased by the applicable municipality or county, or by the private entity if the handgun is secured with a device approved by the department under Section 411.1883(f), Government Code.
2. (b) A first responder employed or supervised by a municipal or county department or private entity may not engage in conduct described by Subsection (a)(1) or (2) unless the municipal or county department or private entity has adopted a policy under Subsection (a) that authorizes that conduct.

Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1026 (H.B. 1069), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 768 (H.B. 4595), Sec. 24.002(15), eff. September 1, 2023.