The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center submitted its plan Wednesday to allow concealed handguns on some parts of its campus.
The plan was submitted to the University of Texas System and its Board of Regents.
Recommended Videos
As a public institution of higher education, MD Anderson must comply with Senate Bill 11 even though it is a medical center and many hospitals in the state are exempt from the law.
MD Anderson’s plan, along with a draft institutional policy, was submitted for review and approval by the UT Board of Regents in preparation for the implementation of the new law on Aug. 1, 2016. Under Senate Bill 11, any individual holding a valid concealed handgun license will be allowed to carry concealed handguns on some parts of the campus.
The plan was developed by a working group composed of a cross section of more than 30 faculty, patients, staff, administrators, trainees and students. Additional input was gathered through town halls, department meetings, surveys and written communications from September to December 2015.
The plan submitted to the UT System was approved by Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., 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,” DePinho said. “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 these areas where concealed handguns will not be allowed:
• Patient care areas
• Research laboratories
• Animal care facilities and vivaria
• Child care facilities, pediatric activity areas, pediatric school areas and areas in which sponsored activities are conducted for children who are not registered at MD Anderson
• Chapels, prayer rooms and other areas designated for worship, spiritual reflection, or meditation
• Areas required to be excluded by state or federal law, contract or an accrediting authority
Under the plan, concealed handgun license holders will be allowed to carry concealed handguns in all parts of the Jesse H. Jones Rotary House, 1600 Holcombe Blvd. and MD Anderson’s administrative building known as the Fannin Holcombe Building, 6900 Fannin St. In addition, most of the Mid Campus Building 1, 7007 Bertner Ave., 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.
Exclusion and carry zones may change in the future as MD Anderson’s use of its buildings changes.
For the currently proposed exclusion and carry zones, please see these maps:
• Texas Medical Center
• Houston area locations where MD Anderson has outpatient clinics
• Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research in Bastrop
• Virginia Harris Cockrell Cancer Research Center at Science Park in Smithville
The UT Board of Regents will review and vote on MD Anderson’s plan in May. In August, MD Anderson will implement an institutional policy that reflects the plan, signs will be installed to mark the exclusion areas, and communications will roll out to inform patients, visitors, faculty, staff and others of the exclusion and carry zones