DFW Hospital Council (DFWHC) President/CEO Stephen Love was present yesterday for the press conference introducing bills that would create harsher penalties for people assaulting a hospital worker in a hospital.
State and local officials were on hand at Dallas police headquarters for the announcement in response to the tragic Methodist Hospital shootings on October 22, 2022, when a criminal on parole killed healthcare workers Jacqueline Pokuaa and Annette Flowers.
“It is with a deep sadness for the loss of two community members that I filed legislation with local and state bipartisan support to protect our communities, our hospitals and hospital workers,” said State Representative Rafael Anchía (D-Dallas).
State Representative Rafael Anchía (D-Dallas)
The bills filed included:
- • HB 3549: Makes it a state jail felony for parolees to cut off their ankle monitor;
• HB 3547: The “Pokuaa-Flowers Act” hospitals will be notified when a violent offender with an ankle monitor visits their premise;
• HB 3548: The “Jacqueline “Jackie” Pokuaa and Katie “Annette” Flowers Act”, makes it a third-degree felony to assault a hospital worker.
“Providing security at hospitals is a tough balancing act,” Love said. “Officials want to ensure the facility is open and welcoming but, with employees encountering workplace violence daily, it’s important to ensure hospitals are a safe haven.”
Additional participants at the press conference included John Phillips, president of Methodist Dallas Medical Center; Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia; Dallas Councilmember Chad West; Dallas Councilmember Gay Donnell Willis; Dallas Councilmember Tennell Atkins and Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax.
“The hospitals of North Texas thank State Representative Rafael Anchia for introducing the three bills regarding state jail felonies, safe havens for hospitals and protecting hospital workers,” said Love. “We urge legislators to enact these bills into law.”