AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The Texas House has approved making bomb threats or causing other false alarms at universities felony offenses.
The move comes amid multiple campus evacuations around Texas recently because of false alarms.
Current statute already makes reporting a false bombing, fire, offense or other emergency a misdemeanor _ publishable by up to a year in jail and a fine.
It dictates that such actions become a felony with more jail time and larger fines when they involve a school, public communications, public transportation, or utility services.
House Bill 1284 adds causing false alarms at public and private colleges to the felony list. It requires that universities inform incoming students of possible penalties of such actions.
The measure passed 142 to 1 on Wednesday and now heads to the Texas Senate.
(WTAW note: the no vote was made by Rep. Dan Flynn of Van.)