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SB 298

Relating to the carrying of weapons by community supervision and corrections department officers, juvenile probation officers, and certain retired law enforcement officers and to criminal liability for taking a weapon from certain of those officers.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Charles Perry

Texas bill permits corrections/probation officers and retired cops to carry weapons and increases criminal penalties for disarming them during duty.

Referred to Criminal Justice
#crimes--againstpersons--general(i0170) #juvenileboards&officers(i0450) #lawenforcement(i0510) #peaceofficers(s0007) #weapons(i0887)
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Bill Summary · SB 298

Legislative bill overview

SB 298 expands the authority of community supervision and corrections department (CSCD) officers, juvenile probation officers, and certain retired law enforcement officers to carry weapons while performing their duties. The bill also creates or enhances criminal penalties for taking weapons from these officers.

Why is this important

These officers regularly interact with individuals under supervision in potentially dangerous situations, and carrying weapons could affect officer safety and public safety outcomes. The criminal penalties for disarming officers reflect concerns about violence against law enforcement and corrections personnel, but also raise questions about use-of-force authority and oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of authority: Whether CSCD and juvenile probation officers should have the same weapons-carrying authority as sworn law enforcement, given their primary supervisory rather than enforcement role
  • Training and oversight: Questions about what level of firearms training, background checks, and accountability mechanisms apply to these officers compared to police
  • Juvenile justice concerns: Whether armed juvenile probation officers align with rehabilitation-focused juvenile justice principles and community safety in schools/youth settings
  • Disarming penalties: Whether new criminal penalties for weapon-taking could be used disproportionately or conflict with self-defense rights in contested encounters

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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