Latest news with #TexasFamilyCode
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Anti-Red Flag Act' that would limit when guns can be taken from people advances in Texas House
The Texas House late Tuesday evening preliminarily passed a Senate bill that would prohibit governmental authorities from enforcing extreme risk protection orders, commonly known as red flag laws, unless the Legislature approved them. Senate Bill 1362 would prevent judges and other local officials from seizing firearms in cases where criminal charges have not been filed or where a protective order is not in place under the Texas Family Code, said Republican Rep. Cole Hefner of Mt. Pleasant. 'I would be concerned with a rogue city judge, a county judge, a district judge,' Hefne, the House sponsor of the bill, said during a debate with Austin Democrat Erin Zwiener. 'This is to make it clear that we're not going to violate anyone's right to bear arms.' House members, in an 86-60 vote, approved the bill from Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, hours before the deadline to advance Senate bills in the lower chamber. Red flag laws, which have existed in various U.S. states since 1999, typically allow family members or police to formally ask a judge to temporarily seize firearms from an individual who poses a risk to themselves or others. Hefner said the legislation, which Hughes dubbed the 'Anti Red-Flag Act,' was necessary to protect Texans from having their guns taken without due process. Republican Rep. Wes Virdell, a gun rights advocate before he was elected last year, argued in favor of the bill. He cited an example of a Maryland man whom he said had his guns seized illegally by local law enforcement. Democrats were near-unanimous in opposing the legislation. Rep. Ana-Mariía Rodriíguez Ramos, D-Richardson, said red flag laws are broadly popular with liberals, moderates and conservatives. 'This bill puts lives at risk by stripping communities of common-sense tools available to stop violence before it happens,' she said. 'And not only does it eliminate an option for a policy that we don't even have in place in Texas, it criminalizes the people who try to use this approach.' Though Republicans succeeded in passing SB 1362, debate on the bill ate up costly time ahead of the midnight deadline to pass Senate bills. Republicans defeated six proposed Democratic amendments to the bill, but the debate burned almost 90 minutes that could have been spent on other bills, many of them carried by conservative members. The bill needs one more vote in the House before it goes back to the Senate. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
SAPD officer arrested for failing to make child abuse report
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A San Angelo Police Department officer was recently arrested for allegedly failing to 'meet the mandated reporting standards related to suspected child abuse,' according to the SAPD. The SAPD stated that 'a supervisor with the San Angelo Police Department identified a concerning incident while reviewing body camera footage' on March 26, with the footage allegedly revealing that an officer, identified as Rodrigo Hernandez, 'had failed to meet the mandated reporting standards related to suspected child abuse.' An internal investigation into the incident was 'immediately initiated.' The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office was also requested to conduct a criminal investigation 'due to the serious nature of the allegation — specifically, gross negligence in failing to report suspected child abuse.' Hernandez was 'relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave' once it was determined that his alleged actions 'constituted a potential criminal offense.' SAPD officer resigns after 'cleared' of wrongdoing in Lake View High School investigation 'Under the Texas Family Code, professionals — including law enforcement officers — who have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused are legally required to report that suspicion to Child Protective Services,' the SAPD said. 'In this case, the relevant statute, 'Knowingly Fail to Make Required Child Abuse Report,' is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.' TGSO submitted its findings to the Tom Green County Attorney's Office following the conclusion of its investigation, resulting in a criminal complaint being filed on May 14. The SAPD said that 'a warrant was subsequently issued, and Officer Hernandez voluntarily surrendered himself to authorities.' The department said that Hernandez 'has now been placed on unpaid temporary suspension' in accordance with Texas Government Code 154.056. 'This administrative action is not intended to reflect an opinion on the merits of the criminal complaint,' the SAPD said. The SAPD stated that its internal investigation, 'which had been paused to allow for the criminal investigation to proceed,' has been resumed. 'Further updates will be provided as appropriate,' the SAPD said. SAPD Police Chief Travis Griffith provided this information at a press conference held on May 16, during which he also shared that an update regarding an investigation into a school resource officer at Lake View High School. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
