H.B. No. 1249         AN ACT   relating to a prohibition of certain motor vehicles resembling   emergency medical services vehicles; creating a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 773, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 773.017 to read as follows:          Sec. 773.017.  USE OF CERTAIN EXTERNAL MOTOR VEHICLE   MARKINGS OR FEATURES PROHIBITED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person   may not operate a motor vehicle in this state that resembles an   emergency medical services vehicle unless the person uses the motor   vehicle:                (1)  as an emergency medical services vehicle under   this chapter; or                (2)  for other legitimate governmental functions,   including police or firefighting services.          (b)  A motor vehicle resembles an emergency medical services   vehicle if the motor vehicle has on the exterior of the motor   vehicle any of the following markings or features:                (1)  the word "ambulance" or a derivation of that word;                (2)  a star of life as trademarked by the National   Highway Traffic Safety Administration;                (3)  a Maltese cross commonly used by fire departments;                (4)  forward-facing flashing red, white, or blue   lights;                (5)  a siren;                (6)  the words "critical care transport," "emergency,"   "emergency medical services," or "mobile intensive care unit"; or                (7)  the acronym "EMS" or "MICU".          (c)  A person commits an offense if the person violates this   section. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.          (d)  This section does not apply to a motor vehicle bearing a   license plate issued or approved under Section 504.501 or 504.502,   Transportation Code.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 1249 was passed by the House on May 6,   2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 5, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 1249 was passed by the Senate on May   19, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 2.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor