TITLE: Relating to restrictions on certain private security companies' use of vehicles that mimic law enforcement vehicles.

SUMMARY: Relating to restrictions on certain private security companies' use of vehicles that mimic law enforcement vehicles.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to restrictions on certain private security companies' use of vehicles that mimic law enforcement vehicles. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1702.1301 to read as follows: Sec. 1702.1301. RESTRICTIONS ON APPEARANCE OF VEHICLES. (a) This section applies only to a motor vehicle that displays the name of a company and is used by: (1) a guard company for the purpose of security patrol services; or (2) an alarm systems company while responding to an alarm system or detection device. (b) A motor vehicle described by Subsection (a): (1) must display an inscription containing: (A) the license holder's company name or the name under which the company conducts business; (B) the words "Private Patrol Services," "Security," "Alarm Response," "Security Patrol," or "Protection," in letters not less than two inches high; and (C) the company's license number, in letters not less than one inch high; and (2) may not display a badge or shield emblem, the state seal or another seal, or any variation on the state seal or another seal that may give an impression that the person is connected with the federal government, a state government, or a political subdivision of this state. (c) The inscription required by Subsection (b)(1)(B) must be in a color sufficiently different from the body of the motor vehicle that the lettering is plainly legible at a distance of not less than 100 feet. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect October 1, 2011.