TEXAS – Law enforcement officers and their supporters are thrilled with legislation that is heading to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. House Bill 9 makes it a felony to knowingly block emergency vehicles or hospital entrances. The governor is expected to sign the bill into law.
The Texas Senate passed the bill 25-5, which would make it a felony to knowingly prevent an emergency vehicle that flashes lights and siren from passing by. Furthermore, the bill also prohibits blocking licensed hospitals, Post Millennial reported.
“That chaos won’t be tolerated in Texas,” Abbott tweeted Saturday as he made his support for the bill known.
“In an emergency, seconds matter,” state Rep. Stephanie Klick said when first presenting HB 9, according to The Texas Tribune. “We all have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble under the First Amendment, but what we don’t have is a right to prevent authorized emergency vehicles that can provide life saving care.”