87R2446 MEW-D
By: Shaheen H.B. No. 813
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating the criminal offense of harassment by
obstructing access to a hospital.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 22, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Section 22.115 to read as follows:
Sec. 22.115. HARASSMENT BY OBSTRUCTING ACCESS TO HOSPITAL.
(a) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to assault,
harass, or alarm, the person knowingly obstructs the entrance or
exit of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety
Code, or other health care facility that provides emergency medical
care, as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third
degree.
(c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section
also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the
actor may be prosecuted under either section.
(d) For purposes of this section, "obstruct" means to render
impassable or to render passage unreasonably inconvenient or
hazardous.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.