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Texas House Passes Bill That Bans Offensive Security Pat-Downs

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AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas House passed a bill that would make it a criminal offense for public servants to inappropriately touch travelers during airport security pat-downs. Approved late Thursday night, the measure makes it illegal for anyone conducting searches to touch “the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of another person” including through clothing. It also prohibits searches “that would be offensive to a reasonable person.” (dfw.cbslocal.com) さらに...

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AccessAir
AccessAir 1
This now needs to spread to the other 49 states....
w5pda
One of the reasons why I'm glad I'm living in Texas.

Paul in CRP
Avi8r747
Avi8r747 0
NH is close to passing the same bill!
preacher1
preacher1 0
A good start but the story does note that it may be superceded by Federal Law
xmacfly
I think Federal Law will prevail but I agree it's about time that someone challenge this nonsense. Appropriate measures in appropriate circumstances with some common sense applied is not a problem to anyone. I hope this sticks and expands. It's about time!
crk112
crk112 0
Texas can get the TSA out of all their airports if they wanted and use their own private security screeners.. nothing says it MUST be the TSA that runs security at airports.
Bogush
Bogush 0
It's about time, I was holding off my trip to the good old USA just because of the mishandling of tourists, I know many Canadians have the same sentiment, I am all for checking one's identity and maybe it's time for everyone to have a biometric passport like in the EU countries
amy34685
Amy Dillon 0
TSA Officers do not, and are not permitted to touch a person's genitals, anus, or breasts.

The "pat down" is patting, not sliding or groping, and is done by a same-sex Officer. No thrills or chills for either party.

These procedures are in place as a result of previous terrorist attacks and attempts to threaten our great country. No terrorist is going to come through with a box inscribed with "TNT" on it! They will hide it in an adult diaper, on a baby, or anywhere where they think you will not suspect it.

Look at USB. The ugly coward hid behind one of his wives! THAT is how terrorists operate! Tolerate the simple and quick pat down or screening to save the lives of you and those around you. We didn't create this mess, but we are left to clean it up because terrorism is real and getting worse.
crk112
crk112 0
I've read many TSA stories in the news that stated the person in question was denied a same-sex "officer" for a "more thorough" search.
akayemm
Bravo , well done fellas ! That's what is expected from public representatives and legislators with a conscience . I fondly hope , all others , the American States as well as other Countries will follow the example .
wksracing
Paul Cline 0
Well now...this should make it easier for people with questionable intentions to do their depredation...ya'll can tell me about it as the plane is on its way down....you'll have about 30 seconds! What is wrong with this picture!
toolguy105
toolguy105 0
One small problem, "A state may pass no law that supersedes Federal Law," there is also the problem that the airport has an FAA tower on it. Having an FAA tower which is operated by the federal government makes the airport somewhat of a federal property.
chris13
To address some of the points brought up:
Federal standards must be adhered to whether the security screeners are TSA or private contractors. Since all security checkpoints fall under the jurisdiction of the TSA (and hence the Deptartment of Homeland Security), no state law will supersede Federal law. And lastly, airports are not Federal property in any sense unless they are owned and operated by the Federal government. Most commercial airports are owned by a municipality or county (and are designated as "Public owned, public use").
Unfortunately, airport screening doesn't fall under the jurisdiction of local or state authorities, or then they could enact laws that reenforce Federal law (like the immigration laws being passed in many states).
OhanaUnited
I'm not an American but I'm from your northern neighbour (aka Canada). I would say it's about time!
123Fly
It's about freakin' time!
sylkman
sylkman 0
Guess I'll just go out and buy a bra next time I want to bring a threat to the safety of the airplane onboard. And I still have two more places to stash something. Dang, you guys are so good, no on is brushing up against my junk.

"Searches that would be offensive to a reasonable person"? What does that mean? I don't think I have the definition of a reasonable person written into law somewhere, otherwise we wouldnt need so damn many laws to begin with.

And finally, if you are getting on the plane with me, you better have been inspected properly and safe to fly with. And sorry if someone brushed your junk to make that happen. what a thrill that must have been.
neisi59
neisi59 0
Weather TSA is there or a contracted company. Federal law prevails. PLUS, any company that has the aitport security MUST follow all federal regulations and laws.
karenterry1
Wonderful, though the law possibly won't be much good since the feds undoubtedly can override it. I used to fly a dozen times a year for fun and business. Now I don't fly at all, ever. I suffered one brutal pat-down in San Fran (where same-sex fondling is possibly more offensive than opposite-gender probing) and that was that. I drive where I want to go now, which extremely limits my trip distance, but OH WELL. That last pat-down left me feeling intolerably violated. Anyone doing on the street what was done to me at the San Fran Airport would be arrested and prosecuted. Don't even try to tell me most of the agents who do these sexual molestations in airports aren't power freaks who SO enjoy forcing travelers to submit to the embarrassing, demeaning, invasive searches. I would simply respond that you are stupid, naive, and an idiot. I've read many times that these body scans and grope-downs aren't adding anything to our flying security. Israel, #1 terrorist target in the world for decades, doesn't see any use for these measures. The American public is insidiously being conditioned to accept any kind of invasion of privacy that is mandated by the government. Anyone who can't see this is BLIND. Unless I'm mistaken, politicians are exempt from being molested in airports. No naked pics. No sexual groping. More and more, there's the government and there's the regular public. The significant differences between the two classes of people are growing exponentially, right down to the kind of Obamacare they and we will receive. Unless I'm mistaken. AMERICANS, WAKE UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE TO STOP THE SLIDE INTO SERFDOM HELL. Vote politicians into office who will serve you (as must be the case in Texas), and vote the ones out of office who are only there to serves themselves with their lifelong addiction to the fine lifestyle enjoyed by our political representatives, at huge taxpayer expense.
amy34685
Amy Dillon 0
The Texas bill is just political posturing, getting ready for the next election, and wanting to appear like they're wearing the white hat. The odds of it going anywhere is nil, and the verbiage is way too ambiguous, as sylkman previously noted.

And it seems like the most opposed to TSA are not the frequent flyers.

The security equipment and pat downs detect ALOT of real threats, and protect the flying public more than TSA is able to disclose, as it is security sensitive information. "You want me on that wall! You need me on that wall!" - A Few Good Men
crk112
crk112 0
+1 @ karen terry
RobSJC
California has often in the past SET THE EXAMPLE later adopted by the Federal Government .... This is LONG over due and should be implemented immediately ... By the TSA
amy34685
Amy Dillon 0
Bankrupt California? Thanks for setting the example.
I think the Pentagon knows what it is doing; they cover our butts more than you know.
TTail
TTail 0
get ready for the TSA is a governmental agency, feds will assert their so called dominance in this issue. i want it to pass, but i will do no good.
RobSJC
Amy .. the TSA does not operate out of the Pentagon ...
turtle0221
turtle0221 0
I only wish people would do their homework before going off. True, other countries don't use such invasive practices but their security carry weapons, big ones, and they profile(it's not the governments fault we don't profile you can blame our American freedom and civil liberties for that). If you argue with security personell you most certiantly miss at least your scheduled flight and maybe more. If you disagree with their screening policies either don't fly or shut up.
I don't believe our security policies are the best but there not the worst by any means.
I read and hear people bitch but I'm not hearing any solutions put out there so until then I want to be as safe as possible so I'll deal with it, if you don't want to don't fly after all flying is not a given right it's a privledge.
amy34685
Amy Dillon 0
I know that, Rob. The Pentagon is aware of the security threats to our nation, and is able to share it with other agencies, like DHS.
FlightGuns
FlightGuns 0
Finally some sanity has returned to the flying public. All 50 states need to follow this example. Go TEXAS!!
devsfan
ken young 0
Just a minute. The pat downs done by TSA agents are not "law". These are policies and procedures. Therefore legislation by the States can indeed prohibit such actions by the TSA within the boundaries of that State.
In order for the federal government to "over ride" these State laws, legislation on the federal level is required to be passed and signed into law by the President.
amy34685
Amy Dillon 0
If you are asked to get a pat-down, or asked to go into to the body imager, by all means ask for a supervisor of you oppose it. Federal ruling can change day to day. It's frustrating for the travelers, and also the officers trying to adhere to new rules.

By the way, read the little signs as you are standing in line... Alot of passengers are held up by bottled water and pocket knives, to mention just 2.
turtle0221
turtle0221 0
"Just a minute. The pat downs done by TSA agents are not "law". These are policies and procedures. Therefore legislation by the States can indeed prohibit such actions by the TSA within the boundaries of that State.
In order for the federal government to "over ride" these State laws, legislation on the federal level is required to be passed and signed into law by the President."
The transportation and security act of 2001 signed into law by the president on Nov. 19,2001 paves the way for the administrator of Homeland security and/or the administrator of TSA to estabilish policies and proecdures under the law for aviation and transportation security so these TSA policies are covered under Federal Law.
devsfan
ken young 0
The Act "gives authority" to the TSA to set policy.
This may seem like hair splitting, but the policies are not the Law. The Act "permits" the TSA to set policy.
Example. If the option to opt out of TSA and establish privately run airport security exists, would it not then make complete sense that it my premise is accurate?
amy34685
Amy Dillon 0
Work for TSA / DHS for even a month and your eyes will be opened to the level of terror and the amount of threat items found every day. Yes, it can be annoying to go through the safety screening, but you have no idea how many people pack guns and knives, and other threat items. So, if you don't like TSA, please enjoy the drive, the bus, the train, the traffic, and the length of time that won't be saved if you fly commercially instead.

Complaints? Call your Congressman. That's what your taxes pay for, and you are entitle to provide your opinion which may change the law in your favor.

devsfan
ken young 0
I support air travel security. I oppose the methods by which it is administered. TSA agents by and large are not very well trained and unprofessional. Most took the job looking for a way to take advantage of lucrative federal benefits and pensions. I do understand that currently TSA employees are not part of the federal worker unions. Yet.
The other objection most travelers have is they are paying customers that TSA agents view as guilty until they( TSA ) are satisfied the traveler is not. Also, political correctness and hypersensitivity prevent those who should be profiled and searched with vigor from this.
amy34685
Amy Dillon 0
Ken, I agree to some degree, depending on the airport and city, that TSA officers are not trained in manners and people skills. They work with thousands of passengers a day, and become numb to basic social skills sometimes.

On the other end of the coin, some passengers are just downright dumb, don't read the signs or listen to the announcements, and check their brains when they check their bags.

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