HBA-DMH H.B. 2656 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2656
By: King, Phil
Public Safety
4/6/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

With firearms present in many American households, young children should be
aware of basic gun safety to help prevent accidents.  Young children must
be taught that guns are not toys and must know what to do should they find
a gun.  A program is available through the National Rifle Association for
use in classrooms, youth programs, summer camps, and day care centers
nationwide.  The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program that uses the message "Stop!
Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult." has reached more than 12
million children since 1988.  House Bill 2656 requires a peace officer who
is a visiting resource officer in a public elementary school to provide
firearm accident prevention information to students and to use the Eddie
Eagle GunSafe Program's safety message.  
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2656 amends the Occupations Code to require a peace officer who
is a visiting resource officer in a public elementary school to provide
instruction to students in a firearms accident prevention program, as
determined by the school district.  The bill establishes a safety message
for a firearms accident prevention program, which must include the safety
message, "Stop! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.", and may
include instructional materials from the National Rifle Association Eddie
Eagle GunSafe Program, including animated videos and activity books.  The
bill provides that a peace officer who is a visiting resource officer in a
public school must be a licensed peace officer.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the
2001-2002 school year.