Texas bill would make invasive pat-downs a felony

[The Northerner]

FORT WORTH, Texas—A former Miss USA's claims of being groped during a pat-down at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport could be a felony under a bill gaining momentum in the Texas Legislature.

The bill would make it illegal for a security officer to intentionally touch someone's private areas -- even atop clothing -- unless they have probable cause to believe the person is carrying something illegal.

Bill sponsor State Rep. David Simpson says the searches are removing people's dignity.

Last fall the Transportation Security Administration started a new pat-down procedure.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/04/29/texas_bill_would_make_invasive_pat_downs_a_felony/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Latest+news

[msongs]

1. lol who decides what is "probable cause"? nt

[angstlessk]

2. For once a Texas law I could get 'behind'! n/t

[marmar]

3. So are they going to haul TSA agents off in handcuffs.....

You don't solve silliness with more silliness.

[elleng]

5. You got it, mar!

[ThomCat]

6. You solve abuses of authority with real application of law.

If TSA agents insist on sexually molesting people, then yes, they should be taken away in handcuffs.

I don't see what's so silly about that.

[marmar]

7. But then what constitutes an invasive search?

It's very murky and potentially troublesome. I just think it's a dumb reactionary solution by a dumb reactionary legislature.

[ThomCat]

9. That's not really murky at all.

The law already allows that anyone physically touching your genitals, or your breasts (if you are female), is guilty of sexual assault.

Apply that law.

That's the problem people are having, that the groping is getting sexually invasive. It's the fact that the groping is getting into sexual areas, so use laws that deal with sexual invasive acts.

You're looking at it purely from a security search and seizure direction, trying to figure out how to draw the line between a justified search and a unjustified search. The the problem isn't when a search is justified, it's where and how.

[Drale]

4. All those repukes are having problems

smuggling all their drugs on plane now. :rofl:


AFTER THOUGH: What constitutes "invasive" I know people who flip out if you brush past them in the hall. I'm sure they would think someone touching their arm is too invasive.

[iemitsu]

8. i am not normally impressed by the texas legislature

but this is a law i support. the TSA people are completely out of line and need to be checked.

[lostnfound]

10. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. nt

[iemitsu]

11. yeah, i guess its not much to crow about.