Bill inspired by Dallas Methodist shooting passes Texas Senate
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Senate unanimously passed a bill connected to the deadly shooting at Methodist Dallas Medical Center last year.
Senate Bill 840 would enhance the penalty for assaulting certain hospital staff from a misdemeanor to a felony.
State Senator Royce West, D-Dallas, filed the measured which he called the Jackie Pokuaa and Annette Flowers Acts, after the two healthcare workers killed in a shooting last October.
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The Dallas police chief vented his frustration that the gunman charged with murdering two Methodist Dallas employees was allowed able to be inside the hospital. The violent prison parolee was twice arrested for parole violations with the most recent one in June.
The bill now goes to the Texas House.
The shooting at Dallas Methodist inspired several bills filed this legislative session.
Bills filed by State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, HB 3549 would create a felony offense to remove an electronic ankle monitor, HB 3547 which would require hospitals to be notified if a violent criminal is being allowed on campus and HB 3548 would make the assault of a hospital worker a 3rd-degree felony.