Medical examiner vehicles may have specific lighting equipment, and operators may use it only to warn others and only while performing inquest-related duties.
Sec. 547.751. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES. Text of subsection effective until April 01, 2027 (a) In this section, "medical examiner vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is owned or leased by a governmental entity for use by a medical examiner or an employee of an office of a medical examiner in the performance of the examiner's or employee's duties relating to an inquest conducted under Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure. Text of subsection effective on April 01, 2027 (a) In this section, "medical examiner vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is owned or leased by a governmental entity for use by a medical examiner or an employee of an office of a medical examiner in the performance of the examiner's or employee's duties relating to an inquest conducted under Subchapter C, Chapter 49A, Code of Criminal Procedure. (b) A medical examiner vehicle may be equipped with either: (1) mounted signal lamps that comply with the requirements of Section 547.702(c); or (2) a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight. Text of subsection effective until April 01, 2027 (c) The operator of a medical examiner vehicle may use the lighting equipment described by Subsection (b) only when: (1) necessary to warn other vehicle operators or pedestrians of the approach of the medical examiner vehicle; and (2) operating the vehicle in the course and scope of the operator's duties relating to an inquest conducted under Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure. Text of subsection effective on April 01, 2027 (c) The operator of a medical examiner vehicle may use the lighting equipment described by Subsection (b) only when: (1) necessary to warn other vehicle operators or pedestrians of the approach of the medical examiner vehicle; and (2) operating the vehicle in the course and scope of the operator's duties relating to an inquest conducted under Subchapter C, Chapter 49A, Code of Criminal Procedure. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 727 (H.B. 2616), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 2.22, eff. April 1, 2027.