BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1449

By: Miles

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Workplace violence experienced by hospital employees at the hands of patients and patients' family members is on the rise. There have been numerous reports of nurses and medical support staff being physically assaulted while trying to perform their jobs. While the Harris County Sheriff's Office currently provides security at county health care facilities, issues still persist due to staff shortages in law enforcement. S.B. 1449 seeks to address this issue by granting the board of hospital managers of the Harris County Hospital District the authority to employ and commission district peace officers. This would allow the Harris County Hospital District to join other hospital districts in Texas, such as the Dallas County Hospital District and the Tarrant County Hospital District, which already have the authority to employ and commission peace officers.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1449 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and Health and Safety Code to include the board of hospital managers of the Harris County Hospital District among the hospital district boards that may employ and commission district peace officers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.