Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 38 and Title 39.

As of October 1, 2024, this bill authorizes sergeants-at-arms to carry a handgun in the course and scope of their duties within the state legislative complex, including the Cordell Hull state office building and the second floor of the state capitol building ("legislative complex") if such persons possess a valid enhanced handgun carry permit and have completed the requirements described in this bill. As used in this bill, "sergeant-at-arms" means a person appointed by the speaker of the senate or the speaker of the house of representatives who is employed by the general assembly to maintain order during legislative proceedings within the legislative complex.<br /> <br /> This bill prohibits sergeants-at-arms from employing a handgun, except when the action is justifiable self-defense or justifiable defense of others. Additionally, this bill does not affect the division of protective services within the department of safety ("division") in providing police services by sworn officers for the State Capitol, the Legislative Plaza, the War Memorial Building and all state office buildings, and providing personal security from time to time of state officials as directed by the commissioner of safety, along with the primary, but not exclusive, responsibility of enforcing the parking regulations and policies as established by the department of general services<br /> <br /> ANNUAL TRAINING<br /> <br /> This bill requires the department of safety ("department"), in consultation with the division, to implement an annual sergeant-at-arms four-hour training program to train sergeants-at-arms in all necessary procedures designed to ensure the safety and security of persons within the legislative complex. In order for a sergeant-at-arms to be authorized to carry a handgun in the course and scope of their duties within the legislative complex, the sergeant-at-arms must complete a four-hour hands-on firearms training course located at an approved National Rifle Association range. A state-approved handgun instructor must instruct the training and certify that the sergeant-at-arms has met the requirements in this bill. In order to carry a handgun pursuant to this bill, a sergeant-at-arms must successfully complete the training annually. However, these provisions do not apply to a sergeant-at-arms hired prior to October 1, 2024.<br /> <br /> This bill requires the department to provide timely notice of a successful completion of training by a sergeant-at-arms to the chief clerks of the senate and the house of representatives. <br /> <br /> RULEMAKING<br /> <br /> This bill authorizes the department to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill.<br />