WHARTON’S BILL EXPANDING LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCESS TO BULLET-RESISTANT PROTECTION REACHES GOVERNOR’S DESK

  

A bill filed to help local law enforcement agencies improve protection on their vehicles is headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature.

House Bill 2217, the first bill filed by State Representative Trey Wharton, has now passed through the House and the Senate.  The bill establishes a statewide grant program for the purpose of outfitting local departments’ patrol vehicles with bullet-resistant windshields, windows and door panels. 

In announcing the bill’s passage, Wharton said he is “proud to support those who protect us.”

According to a release from Wharton’s office, the governor’s Criminal Justice Division will oversee the program and lay out guidelines for grant eligibility.  The program seeks to expand access to bullet-resistant equipment for law enforcement agencies, particularly those in rural or underserved areas.

The legislation was inspired by Operation Safe Shield, a Brazos Valley nonprofit organization whose work has equipped over 140 patrol vehicles in the area with ballistic protection. 

Operation Safe Shield wrote on social media that it has advocated to provide bullet-resistant technology to all law enforcement, and that, “The hard work has paid off knowing that lives will be saved.”

HB 2217 was sponsored in the Senate by District 30 Senator Brent Hagenbuch.

Upon the governor’s signature, the legislation will go into effect on September 1^st.