Sec. 121.003. POWERS OF MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES. (a) The governing body of a municipality or the commissioners court of a county may enforce any law that is reasonably necessary to protect the public health.

(b) The governing bodies of municipalities and the commissioners courts of counties may cooperate with one another in making necessary improvements and providing services to promote the public health in accordance with Chapter 791, Government Code.

(c) The commissioners court of a county may grant authority under this subsection to a county employee who is trained by a health authority appointed by the county under Section 121.021, by a local health department established under Section 121.031, or by a public health district established under Section 121.041 and who is not a peace officer. The court may grant to the employee the power to issue a citation in an unincorporated area of the county to enforce any law or order of the commissioners court that is reasonably necessary to protect the public health. A citation issued under this subsection must state the name of the person cited, the violation charged, and the time and place the person is required to appear in court. If a person who receives a citation under this subsection fails to appear on the return date of the citation, the court may issue a warrant for the person's arrest for the violation described in the citation.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 562, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0362, eff. April 2, 2015.