New state laws will increase penalties for cutting ankle monitors and assaulting hospital workers.

DALLAS — On Monday, state and local leaders announced a series of new bills inspired by the deadly shooting at the Dallas Methodist Medical Center.

The shooter, Nestor Hernandez, was allowed to see his newborn and eventually attacked his girlfriend and killed medical workers Jackie Pokuaa and Kathy Flowers in October 2022.

Hernandez was released on parole from a state prison for aggravated robbery committed in 2015. He wore an electronic monitor on his ankle. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice allowed him to stay with his girlfriend during the birth.

He had previously been arrested twice for violating parole.

Bills filed by State Representative Rafael Anchia, Dallas, would criminalize the removal of an electronic ankle monitor, require hospitals to be notified if a violent offender is allowed on campus, and provide for assault on a hospital worker. 3rd degree crime.

Rep. Anchia says he has heard from Republican lawmakers who will support his bills.

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The presentation of the legislative package was attended by several Dallas leaders, including Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia.

Shortly after the shooting, Garcia called it “a terrible failure of our criminal justice system.”

“I believe ankle monitors don’t work for violent offenders,” Garcia said on Monday. “With this bill, we are starting to hold our violent criminals accountable.”

The bills still have to pass the Texas House of Representatives and Senate before they become law.

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