Braley's 'Ed Thomas Act' would provide more info to police

Police should get more complete, up-to-date information on persons who could pose a threat to the community under legislation introduced yesterday in Congress by U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley.

The Ed Thomas Act clarifies existing federal privacy requirements to allow police and medical providers to communicate more effectively when patients pose an inherent risk to the community, according to a statement released by Braley's office.

Thomas, longtime Aplington- Parkersburg High School football coach, was shot to death June 24, 2009, by former player Mark Becker.  Becker, convicted in March of first-degree murder, had been released from a hospital psychiatric commitment shortly before he drove to Parkersburg and shot Thomas.

Thomas family members have said that if law enforcement had known when Becker would be released, the coach's life would have been saved, and the Iowa Legislature passed a law to clarify the responsibilities of hospitals and law enforcement when dealing with psychiatric patients facing criminal charges.

Braley's Ed Thomas Act clarifies federal patient-privacy rules to allow hospitals to notify law enforcement officers of a patient's release under specific conditions:

• If an individual is admitted to a medical facility while accompanied by a law enforcement official; and
• Such official makes a request for patient information in writing; and
• That request is made at any point between the time the patient is admitted, and 24 hours after discharge:
• Then the medical facility can provide medical information, including date of discharge, to the law enforcement agency.
• The HHS Secretary will promulgate regulations to implement this within 90 days of passage.

“Those who knew Ed Thomas knew his compassion, his leadership and his dedication to the entire Parkersburg community,” Braley, D-Waterloo, said. “I am proud and humbled to introduce this legislation to the United States Congress. It is my hope that we can continue to honor the memory and legacy of Ed Thomas by passing the Ed Thomas Act, helping to ensure the future safety of schools and communities not just here in Iowa, but across America.”