OCCUPATIONS CODE

TITLE 11. REGULATION OF SALES AND SOLICITATION

CHAPTER 1803. SOLICITATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 1803.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "Law enforcement personnel" means commissioned peace officers who are employees of government law enforcement agencies.
(2)  "Public safety entity" means a public safety promoter or public safety organization.
(3)  "Public safety organization" means a nongovernmental organization that, in a manner that reasonably implies that the organization is composed of law enforcement or public safety personnel or that a contribution, purchase, or membership will benefit public safety personnel, uses the term "officer," "peace officer," "police officer," "police," "law enforcement," "reserve officer," "deputy," "deputy sheriff," "constable," "deputy constable," "fireman," "firefighter," "volunteer fireman," "emergency medical service provider," "civilian employee," or any other term:
(A)  in its name;
(B)  in a publication of the organization;  or
(C)  in a solicitation for:
(i)  contributions to the organization;
(ii)  membership in the organization;
(iii)  the purchase of advertising in a publication of the organization;  or
(iv)  the purchase of products or tickets to an event sponsored by or for the benefit of the organization by a solicitor.
(4)  "Public safety personnel" means employees or volunteers of a public safety organization, including:
(A)  firefighters;
(B)  emergency medical service providers;  or
(C)  civilian employees of a public safety organization.
(5)  "Public safety promoter" means a person who:
(A)  is not affiliated with a public safety organization;  and
(B)  in the name of public safety or in a name associated with public safety makes a request for a donation or the sale of tickets or advertising.
(6)  "Public safety publication" means a nongovernmental publication with a name that includes the term "officer," "peace officer," "police officer," "police," "law enforcement," "reserve officer," "deputy," "deputy sheriff," "constable," "deputy constable," "fireman," "firefighter," "volunteer fireman," "emergency medical service provider," "civilian employee," or any other term in a manner that reasonably implies that the publication is published by a public safety organization or benefits public safety.
(7)  "Public safety solicitor" means a person who:
(A)  contracts for or receives money for providing solicitation services for a public safety entity or public safety publication;  and
(B)  solicits:
(i)  contributions in person, by telephone, by electronic media, or by mail;
(ii)  membership in a public safety organization from an individual not employed by a public safety agency of the United States, this state, or a political subdivision of this state;  or
(iii)  the purchase of:
(a)  advertising;  or
(b)  goods, services, or tickets to an event sponsored by or for the benefit of a public safety organization or for the cause of public safety.
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.