1. (a) The department may provide for the installment, operation, and maintenance of a system of emergency telephone call boxes along those highways in this state that are part of the designated state highway system.

2. (b) The system may:

   1. (1) be designed to enable users of those highways to request emergency and nonemergency response services;

   2. (2) include:

      1. (A) wired or wireless telecommunications services; and
      2. (B) one or more motorist assistance answering centers; and
   3. (3) be capable of performing compatible Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) functions.
3. (c) To minimize call processing loads in public safety answering points established under Chapter 771 or 772, Health and Safety Code, the department may contract with a private entity to perform the functions of a motorist assistance answering center under Subsection (b)(2)(B).

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, Sec. 1.42, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.