BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 434 89R383 MPF-D By: Miles Local Government 4/4/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Workplace violence at hospitals experienced by hospital employees at the hands of patients and patient 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 healthcare facilities, issues still persist due to staff shortages in law enforcement. S.B. 434 grants the Harris County Hospital District the authority to employ and commission peace officers. Upon passage, S.B. 434 would allow 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. As proposed, S.B. 434 amends current law relating to the authority of the Harris County Hospital District to employ and commission peace officers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 281.057(a), Health and Safety Code to authorize the boards of certain hospital districts, including the Harris County Hospital District, to employ and commission peace officers for the district, and to make a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 2. Amends Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows: Art. 2A.001. PEACE OFFICERS GENERALLY. Provides that certain individuals are peace officers, including an officer commissioned by certain hospital districts, including the Harris County Hospital District, under Section 281.057 (Employment of District Peace Officers), Health and Safety Code. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 434
89R383 MPF-D By: Miles
Local Government
4/4/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 434
89R383 MPF-D
By: Miles
Local Government
4/4/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Workplace violence at hospitals experienced by hospital employees at the hands of patients and patient 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 healthcare facilities, issues still persist due to staff shortages in law enforcement.
S.B. 434 grants the Harris County Hospital District the authority to employ and commission peace officers. Upon passage, S.B. 434 would allow 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.
As proposed, S.B. 434 amends current law relating to the authority of the Harris County Hospital District to employ and commission peace officers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 281.057(a), Health and Safety Code to authorize the boards of certain hospital districts, including the Harris County Hospital District, to employ and commission peace officers for the district, and to make a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 2. Amends Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows:
Art. 2A.001. PEACE OFFICERS GENERALLY. Provides that certain individuals are peace officers, including an officer commissioned by certain hospital districts, including the Harris County Hospital District, under Section 281.057 (Employment of District Peace Officers), Health and Safety Code. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.