88R3843 MZM-D By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 253 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting certain persons from carrying certain firearms on the property. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 30.05(c), Penal Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) A person may provide notice that firearms are prohibited on the property by posting [a sign] at each entrance to the property [that]: (1) a sign that: (A) includes, in both English and Spanish, language that is identical to or substantially similar to the following: "Pursuant to Section 30.05, Penal Code (criminal trespass), a person may not enter this property with a firearm"; (B) [(2) includes the language described by Subdivision (1) in both English and Spanish; [(3)] appears in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height; and (C) [(4)] is displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public; or (2) a sign that: (A) includes, in both English and Spanish, language that is identical to or substantially similar to the following: "No firearms permitted on this property"; (B) appears on a white background with black block letters at least one inch in height; (C) contains a pictogram that shows, on a white background, a handgun drawn in black ink within a red circle of at least six inches in diameter and a diagonal red line across the handgun; and (D) is displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public. SECTION 2. Section 30.06(c)(3), Penal Code, is amended to read as follows: (3) "Written communication" means: (A) a card or other document on which is written language identical to the following: "Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun"; [or] (B) a sign posted on the property that: (i) includes the language described by Paragraph (A) in both English and Spanish; (ii) appears in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height; and (iii) is displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public; or (C) a sign posted on the property that: (i) includes, in both English and Spanish, language that is identical to or substantially similar to the following: "No concealed handguns permitted on this property"; (ii) appears on a white background with black block letters at least one inch in height; (iii) contains a pictogram that shows, on a white background, a handgun drawn in black ink within a red circle of at least six inches in diameter and a diagonal red line across the handgun; and (iv) is displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public. SECTION 3. Section 30.07(c)(3), Penal Code, is amended to read as follows: (3) "Written communication" means: (A) a card or other document on which is written language identical to the following: "Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly"; [or] (B) a sign posted on the property that: (i) includes the language described by Paragraph (A) in both English and Spanish; (ii) appears in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height; and (iii) is displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public at each entrance to the property; or (C) a sign posted on the property that: (i) includes, in both English and Spanish, language that is identical to or substantially similar to the following: "No openly carried handguns permitted on this property"; (ii) appears on a white background with black block letters at least one inch in height; (iii) contains a pictogram that shows, on a white background, a handgun drawn in black ink within a red circle of at least six inches in diameter and a diagonal red line across the handgun; and (iv) is displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public. SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.