Ed Thomas Act Introduced
By Reema, Gaea News NetworkThursday, July 15, 2010
WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- In honor of Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas, the U.S. Representative Bruce Braley introduced legislation in his name that will ensure the safety of families and communities from mentally ill people who have inherent potential to cause harm to people. The New bill named Ed Thomas Act will bring certain changes in privacy laws and allow the law enforcement agencies and the medical centers to communicate effectively to avoid any further such tragedy.
Bruce Braley said on Wednesday during a media conference that the news Ed Thomas Act will clarify privacy policies keeping in mind both Patient privacy and protection of community in mind. Bruce Braley said that although it is difficult to state what actions might have avoided the tragic death of Ed Thomas last year, the new Iowa notification laws provided to all states he hopes will act as the first-step preventative measures.
Remembering the tragic death of Ed Thomas who was shot dead by Mark Becker a former student who got released from the metal hospital several days before the incident, Bruce Braley said it would have been helpful for law enforcement officials if they had known the release of such a person.
Mark Becker, according to court testimony suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. He used to believe that his former football coach Ed Thomas was Satan and that he was being tormented by him. In June last year Mark Becker fatally shot Ed Thomas. Bruce Braley said to media sources that he is confident that Ed Thomas Act that is being introduced will strike a perfect balance to make sure that community members are protected when such individuals like Mark Becker are out.
