nightmare69 wrote:RoyGBiv wrote:nightmare69 wrote:
LOL!
My wife is an EMT and the law applies to her when she is actively engaged in her duties as an EMT. Such as carrying into a posted hospital with her patient. This doesn't mean she can carry anywhere at anytime when she is off the clock. This is my interpretation of the law.
There was some discussion about volunteer vs paid professional first responders. Seems that HB 435 applies to volunteers only and paid full time professionals are not covered.... That was SB 1408(?).
Just a caution.... I might not have the correct understanding...
It applies to all first responders and volunteers also. It wouldn't make any sense to allow only volunteers carry and continue to ban the vast majority of first responders.
The bill says it only applies to volunteer personnel:
(18) "Volunteer emergency services personnel"
includes a volunteer firefighter, an emergency medical services
volunteer as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code,
and any individual who, as a volunteer, provides services for the
benefit of the general public during emergency situations. The
term does not include a peace officer or reserve law enforcement
officer, as those terms are defined by Section 1701.001,
Occupations Code, who is performing law enforcement duties.
Whereas SB 1408 stated:
Sec. 411.184. ON-DUTY FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING COURSE.
(a) In this section, "first responder" means a public safety
employee or volunteer whose duties include responding rapidly to an
emergency. The term includes fire protection personnel, including
volunteer firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel,
including emergency medical services volunteers. The term does not
include commissioned law enforcement personnel.
So, HB 435 does not apply to a public safety employee.