87R2446 MEW-D By: Shaheen H.B. No. 813 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to creating the criminal offense of harassment by obstructing access to a hospital. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 22, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 22.115 to read as follows: Sec. 22.115. HARASSMENT BY OBSTRUCTING ACCESS TO HOSPITAL. (a) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to assault, harass, or alarm, the person knowingly obstructs the entrance or exit of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or other health care facility that provides emergency medical care, as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code. (b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree. (c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the actor may be prosecuted under either section. (d) For purposes of this section, "obstruct" means to render impassable or to render passage unreasonably inconvenient or hazardous. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.