Sec. 411.184.  AT-RISK DESIGNATION.  (a)  The department shall develop a procedure for persons who are at increased risk of becoming a victim of violence to:
(1)  obtain a handgun license on an expedited basis, if the person is not already a license holder; and
(2)  qualify for an at-risk designation on the license.
(b)  A person is eligible for an at-risk designation under this section if:
(1)  the person is protected under, or a member of the person's household or family is protected under:
(A)  a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction issued under Subchapter F, Chapter 6, Family Code;
(B)  a temporary ex parte order issued under Chapter 83, Family Code;
(C)  a protective order issued under Chapter 85, Family Code;
(D)  a protective order issued under Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal Procedure; or
(E)  a magistrate's order for emergency protection issued under Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure; or
(2)  the person participates in the address confidentiality program under Subchapter B, Chapter 58, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(c)  The director may adopt rules to accept alternative documentation not described by Subsection (b) that shows that the person is at increased risk of becoming a victim of violence.
(d)  A person may receive an at-risk designation under this section if the person submits to the department, in the form and manner provided by the department:
(1)  an application for the designation;
(2)  evidence of the increased risk of becoming a victim of violence, as provided by Subsection (b) or rules adopted under Subsection (c); and
(3)  any other information that the department may require.
(e)  A license holder may apply for the designation under this section by making an application for a duplicate license.  A person who is not a license holder may apply for the designation with the person's application for an original license to carry a handgun.
(f)  A person with a designation granted under this section shall annually certify that the person continues to qualify for the designation and shall submit to the department any information the department requires to verify the person's continuing eligibility.  A person who no longer qualifies for the designation under this section shall immediately notify the department.
(g)  If based on the information received under Subsection (f) the department determines that the person is no longer eligible for a designation under this section, the department shall notify the person and issue to the person a duplicate license without a designation.
(h)  On receipt of a duplicate license without a designation under Subsection (g), the license holder shall return the license with the designation to the department.
(i)  The department may not charge a fee for issuing a duplicate license with a designation under this section or for issuing a duplicate license without a designation if the person no longer qualifies for the designation.  If a person applies for a designation at the same time the person applies for an original license under this subchapter, the department may charge only the licensing fee.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 821 (H.B. 2675), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.