East Texan’s Pat Down Bill Moving Through the House

AUSTIN (AP) — A bill that would make it a felony to touch someone in an intimate place during a routine search has moved to the full House for debate. The proposed law is aimed at people conducting security checkpoints at airports and public buildings. The bill makes it a crime to intentionally touch someone’s groin or breasts, even through clothing, unless the security officer has probably cause to believe that person is carrying something illegal. House Bill 1937 was authored by state Representative David Simpson, R-Longview, and is co-sponsored by 54 other state representatives. It could place federal workers at jeopardy of prosecution for conducting so-called enhanced pat-downs.