2023 Texas Statutes › Government Code › Title 4 - Executive Branch › Subtitle B - Law Enforcement and Public Protection › Chapter 411 - Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas › Subchapter H. License to Carry a Handgun › Section 411.2031. Carrying of Handguns by License Holders on Certain Campuses

Sec. 411.2031.  CARRYING OF HANDGUNS BY LICENSE HOLDERS ON CERTAIN CAMPUSES.  (a)  For purposes of this section:
(1)  "Campus" means all land and buildings owned or leased by an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education.
(2)  "Institution of higher education" and "private or independent institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(3)  "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.03, Penal Code.
(b)  A license holder may carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder's person while the license holder is on the campus of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state.
(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), (d-1), or (e), an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state may not adopt any rule, regulation, or other provision prohibiting license holders from carrying handguns on the campus of the institution.
(d)  An institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state may establish rules, regulations, or other provisions concerning the storage of handguns in dormitories or other residential facilities that are owned or leased and operated by the institution and located on the campus of the institution.
(d-1)  After consulting with students, staff, and faculty of the institution regarding the nature of the student population, specific safety considerations, and the uniqueness of the campus environment, the president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education in this state shall establish reasonable rules, regulations, or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by license holders on the campus of the institution or on premises located on the campus of the institution.  The president or officer may not establish provisions that generally prohibit or have the effect of generally prohibiting license holders from carrying concealed handguns on the campus of the institution.  The president or officer may amend the provisions as necessary for campus safety.  The provisions take effect as determined by the president or officer unless subsequently amended by the board of regents or other governing board under Subsection (d-2).  The institution must give effective notice under Section 30.06, Penal Code, with respect to any portion of a premises on which license holders may not carry.
(d-2)  Not later than the 90th day after the date that the rules, regulations, or other provisions are established as described by Subsection (d-1), the board of regents or other governing board of the institution of higher education shall review the provisions.  The board of regents or other governing board may, by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the board, amend wholly or partly the provisions established under Subsection (d-1).  If amended under this subsection, the provisions are considered to be those of the institution as established under Subsection (d-1).
(d-3)  An institution of higher education shall widely distribute the rules, regulations, or other provisions described by Subsection (d-1) to the institution's students, staff, and faculty, including by prominently publishing the provisions on the institution's Internet website.
(d-4)  Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year, each institution of higher education in this state shall submit a report to the legislature and to the standing committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over the implementation and continuation of this section that:
(1)  describes its rules, regulations, or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns on the campus of the institution; and
(2)  explains the reasons the institution has established those provisions.
(e)  A private or independent institution of higher education in this state, after consulting with students, staff, and faculty of the institution, may establish rules, regulations, or other provisions prohibiting license holders from carrying handguns on the campus of the institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by the institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle owned by the institution.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 438 (S.B. 11), Sec. 1, eff. August 1, 2016.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 809 (H.B. 1927), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2021.