MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER submitted its plan to comply with Senate Bill 11, a state law commonly known as Campus Carry, to the University of Texas System and its Board of Regents, as a public institution of higher education.
Under the bill, any individual holding a valid concealed handgun license will be allowed to carry concealed handguns on some parts of MD Anderson’s campus. The UT Board of Regents will review and vote on MD Anderson’s plan in May. The law goes into effect Aug. 1.
The plan was developed by a working group composed of a cross section of more than 30 faculty, patients, staff, administrators, trainees and students, MD Anderson said in a statement, and was approved by Ronald DePinho, president of MD Anderson.
“Our primary goal at MD Anderson is to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors, faculty, staff and students while complying with Texas law,” said DePinho. “Our working group listened to many passionate opinions expressed about this issue and considered all feedback in putting together our plan. I am confident it addresses our goal.”
The plan recommended that concealed handguns not be allowed in patient care areas; research laboratories; animal care facilities and vivaria; child care facilities, pediatric activity areas, pediatric school areas, and areas where activities are conducted for children who are not registered at MD Anderson; chapels and prayer rooms; and areas required to be excluded by state or federal law.
According to MD Anderson, concealed handgun license holders will be allowed to carry concealed handguns in all parts of the Jesse H. Jones Rotary House and MD Anderson’s administrative building, the Fannin Holcombe Building. In addition, most of the Mid Campus Building 1 will be a carry area as well, except in the offices of Employee Health and Well-being and the Employee Assistance Program.
Other carry areas include a number of MD Anderson landscaping and storage warehouses, Mid Campus Garage A, Braeswood Garage and garages adjacent to the Fannin Holcombe Building and Mays Clinic.
