Updated June 17 at 9:11 a.m. Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 11 into law June 13. The bill becomes effective for four-year universities in August 2016 and at community colleges like Lone Star College in August 2017. Posted June 5 at 3:53 p.m. The Lone Star College System issued a statement June 1 regarding Senate Bill 11, which is commonly known as campus concealed carry. If signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, the legislation will be put into effect at Texas universities beginning in August 2016 and at community colleges like LSCS in August 2017. The Texas House and Senate both passed the bill, and the legislation was sent to Abbott's office June 1. The deadline is June 21 for Abbott to sign or veto bills passed during the regular legislative session. “This two-year implementation period gives Lone Star College and all Texas community colleges time to study the legislation and determine the appropriate steps necessary to implement the requirements,” according to the statement from the LSCS communications office. “LSC will comply with current law until August 2017 and implement the new requirements of the law in effect at that time.” Ray Laughter, LSCS vice chancellor for external affairs, said it is important for people to understand that SB 11 would not allow open carry on campuses, and concealed handgun license holders are in violation of the law if they openly expose their handguns. “We want to maintain a positive learning environment for our students and our faculty,” Laughter said. “I think part of this is education awareness about exactly what this law means. I think there was so much angst when this first was mentioned. I think it’s important for more people to understand about the process for obtaining a concealed handgun license and what the requirements are.” LSCS will continue to gather input from students, faculty, staff, community members and the system’s police department about guidelines for campus carry implementation, according to the LSCS statement. Laughter said the system could possibly begin increasing education efforts regarding campus concealed carry later this year or in 2016. “There’s a lot that we will learn from universities because they start [campus concealed carry] fall of 2016,” Laughter said. “We’ll have time to look at what they do and how the legislature deals with their approach. I don’t think we’ll do much planning right away until we know what they’re looking for. We’re not going to rush.” Senate Bill 11 provisions The final version of the bill allows universities and colleges to establish gun-free zones and rules for how the weapons are stored in dorms and residence halls. If signed into law, only concealed handgun license holders would be allowed to bring firearms on campus grounds and buildings. On-campus health care facilities, day care centers, athletic stadiums and other sports venues would be exempt from campus carry provisions. In addition, private universities and colleges would be allowed to opt out of campus carry under the modified bill with Senate amendments.