FINES FOR CHILD SAFETY FUND.

(a) The governing body of a municipality with a population greater than 1.3 million according to the most recent federal decennial census that has adopted an ordinance, regulation, or order regulating the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles as allowed by Section 542.202, Transportation Code, or Chapter 682, Transportation Code, shall by order assess on each parking violation a fine of not less than $2 and not to exceed $5.

(b) The governing body of a municipality with a population less than 1.3 million according to the most recent federal decennial census that has adopted an ordinance, regulation, or order regulating the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles as allowed by Section 542.202, Transportation Code, or Chapter 682, Transportation Code, may by order assess on each parking violation a fine not to exceed $5.

(c) A person convicted of an offense under Subtitle C, Title 7, Transportation Code, when the offense occurs within a school crossing zone as defined by Section 541.302 of that code, shall pay a fine of $25. A person convicted of an offense under Section 545.066, Transportation Code, shall pay a fine of $25 in addition to other taxable court costs. A fine under this subsection shall be assessed only in a municipality.

(d) A person convicted of an offense under Section 25.093, Education Code, shall pay a fine of $20.

(e) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 919 (S.B. 1923), Sec. 21, eff. September 1, 2021.

(f) In a municipality with a population greater than 1.3 million according to the most recent federal decennial census, the officer collecting a fine in a municipal court case shall deposit money collected under this article in the municipal child safety trust fund established as required by Chapter 106, Local Government Code.

(g) In a municipality with a population less than 1.3 million according to the most recent federal decennial census, the money collected under this article in a municipal court case must be used for a school crossing guard program if the municipality operates one. If the municipality does not operate a school crossing guard program or if the money received from fines from municipal court cases exceeds the amount necessary to fund the school crossing guard program, the municipality may:

(1) deposit the additional money in an interest-bearing account;

(2) expend the additional money for programs designed to enhance child safety, health, or nutrition, including child abuse prevention and intervention, youth diversion, and drug and alcohol abuse prevention; or

(3) expend the additional money for programs designed to enhance public safety and security.

(h) Money collected under this article in a justice, county, or district court shall be used to fund school crossing guard programs in the county where they are collected. If the county does not operate a school crossing guard program, the county may:

(1) remit fine revenues to school districts in its jurisdiction for the purpose of providing school crossing guard services;

(2) fund programs the county is authorized by law to provide which are designed to enhance child safety, health, or nutrition, including child abuse prevention and intervention, youth diversion, and drug and alcohol abuse prevention;

(3) provide funding to the sheriff's department for school-related activities;

(4) provide funding to the county juvenile probation department; or

(5) deposit the money in the general fund of the county.

(i) Each collecting officer shall keep separate records of money collected under this article.