[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6103440,"mediaKeyId","2795428-dee300d079b760d4188dc2bf13826182","parentId",2795428,"title","Sponsor lays out substitute to require backup power and safe‑temperature plans for long‑term care facilities","audioSeconds",425,"startMs",5797000,"endMs",6222000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2795428-dee300d079b760d4188dc2bf13826182&start=5797&end=6222","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2795428-dee300d079b760d4188dc2bf13826182/thumbnail_5797000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103440/Texas/Sponsor-lays-out-substitute-to-require-backup-power-and-safetemperature-plans-for-longterm-care-facilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103440-6272893d2870e725e4171bc213222b12/orig.mp4?Expires=1777156291&Signature=dkMcMfq7r8-QaPjdk1fP5KH1Mk5M~Sbo5oXF2qKvAsCBGSDkoXESMQCzY5iDUQPHbuVdgH3CQXxp8zfGgufvy1AGw3mNVdfwN7rakiaZRLJrS4hKzCDSbsuA87w1vGLhD6bCL1PuYhA7QnmVmIewX1t92Juq0DITHvJc6pl2P1OM76umKSoWiZ7a2S7fdE4N4TseAwGjKXQV7riU5amzB48D9XgzLQOLPxNrPc6O1eZiL1PiK3WPLLPWMGegN8sOuWiW~Lf-7PsY2EFxLFn2TfYtOVFUT75U5rv-ql8K19Up154wazmu1-YgDaGg9-TCtDIw~bnhOnpo6GdJouDS4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Carol Alvarado, sponsor of Senate Bill 481, explained a committee substitute that would revise emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living centers after last summer's Hurricane Beryl left many residents without power and air conditioning.

Key provisions in the committee substitute described to the committee include: on‑site backup generation with an implementation timeline (target date cited as Sept. 1, 2027, with potential extensions for supply‑chain issues), required safe indoor temperature ranges during an outage (the substitute specifies 71–81°F for nursing facilities and 68–72°F for assisted living in certain contexts), mandated HHSC review and approval of each facility’s emergency plan and annual updates, a required communication process to notify family members and representatives, and a waiver process for facilities that cannot meet requirements because of local ordinances or deed restrictions. The substitute also allows multiple licensed facilities on the same property to centralize square‑footage calculations for compliance.

Supporters who provided invited testimony included Andrea Earl (AARP Texas) and Patty Duccallier (State Long‑Term Care Ombudsman). Andrea Earl said SB 481 “will significantly enhance the safety and well‑being of Texas’ most vulnerable populations residing at nursing homes and assisted‑living facilities,” and emphasized that people with chronic illnesses and mobility limitations depend on consistent power for medical equipment and medication refrigeration. Duccallier noted HHSC had previously reported high generator coverage among nursing homes (HHSC 2022 report: 99% of nursing homes had a generator) and said the committee substitute reflected compromises reached with providers and advocates.

DFPS and HHSC staff were not the primary presenters on this bill, but the sponsor and witnesses referenced the Texas Energy Fund and a $1.8 billion grant program (referred to in testimony) that may be tapped to assist facilities with generator procurement and installation.

Ending: The committee chair said the substitute would be left pending so the committee could take public testimony later; members acknowledged implementation questions including cost, runway for compliance, waiver mechanics, and whether state funding or grant programs could be targeted to assist facilities with required upgrades.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part I) March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Alvarado presented a committee substitute to SB 481 proposing on‑site backup power, defined safe temperature ranges, mandatory HHSC review of emergency plans, and a waiver process; stakeholders including AARP Texas and the State Long‑Term Care Ombudsman supported the substitute but noted implementation questions and funding pathways.","taxTitle","Committee on Health & Human Services, Senate, Legislative, Texas","taxId",16925,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6103445,"Senators lay out dueling central-registry bills to add due process and expungement for DFPS listings",360,1595000,1955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2795428-dee300d079b760d4188dc2bf13826182&start=1595&end=1955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2795428-dee300d079b760d4188dc2bf13826182/thumbnail_1595000.jpg","/articles/6103445/Texas/Senators-lay-out-dueling-central-registry-bills-to-add-due-process-and-expungement-for-DFPS-listings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103445-6effda436459f9a87e7bdc5c7e79da1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1777156291&Signature=My~yvJ26opaVb9nvqB1DKxkrj6e4865dh8fBmX3975yAWeN1hXB7WTvXF6na0Hpi3MA8QRTtuubnjFk1ANd0ub5U-y~2NkBE5Yzg~npYNTwZwNuQHiaBuTkZFyYdm2u1MxCDvvEfDpeqtdolCeAj6bmNx2SGeGwmEvyC~~X8A0DfLkwuEuigojVK1-TSAg3f61-0NRWQGkD~FTtHjioi8lxVsFUNSRZI-noQtLHgHEWQJJjfbr-k74XilY7qoqK0c7Vf5UYvdQEk2aKTdpSG5Xa~Q262U6XokjA7EBp3p05PhGHJlioUu1pSnsj7YwmVSe6ZLsUdR~IHj9vY6DIfyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Brian Birdwell laid out two related bills — Senate Bill 11 95 and Senate Bill 11 96 — that would change how the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) places and removes names from the state's central child-abuse and neglect registry.

SB 11 95 creates a statutory expungement review process for people already listed on the registry: it would require DFPS to establish an expungement review panel (including the DFPS general counsel, consumer affairs official, and a volunteer State Bar attorney board-certified in child welfare or family law), allow requests after a two‑year waiting period, bar review for cases involving child fatality, near‑fatality, or court‑ordered termination of parental rights, set hearing timelines (hearing within 60 days, written decision within 30 days of hearing), and require DFPS to remove a name and update records within 10 business days if the panel grants relief. The bill also provides for automatic review and removal in certain long‑elapsed cases and protects review materials from public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act.

SB 11 96 would change how someone is added to the registry going forward: it prohibits DFPS from adding a person's name unless there is a final order by a court or the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) finding abuse or neglect, with exceptions for aggravated circumstances (murder, severe sexual abuse, trafficking). It requires written notice to the individual before listing, an opportunity to request a hearing (DFPS must wait at least 31 days and delay listing if a hearing is requested), and a process for internal review while hearings are pending; if a finding is overturned, DFPS must remove the name within 10 business days.

Why it matters: Witnesses — including Andrew Brown of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Brandon Logan (Family Freedom Project senior fellow), and others — described the registry as a de facto blacklist that can prevent people from working with children, obtaining licenses, fostering or adopting, or volunteering. They said notice is unclear or unreliable, appeals are rare and onerous, and many people never learn they are listed. DFPS invited witnesses (Stephanie Muth, Commissioner; Jennifer Sims, deputy commissioner) told the committee the agency is willing to improve notice and review procedures and noted IT work under way (the Impact system) and funding requests in the agency’s LAR; they also said expanding judicial review statewide would create a large number of additional cases and that some of the FTEs identified in fiscal notes were for SOAH.

Direct quotes (from invited testimony and senators): “We are running a state no‑fly list functioning as a state no‑fly list with no ability to get off it,” Sen. Birdwell said, arguing for statutory review and relief. Andrew Brown said the registry “was meant for data collection and research” but became a background‑check tool without due process. DFPS witness Jennifer Sims said some record‑cleaning steps (death‑matches, automated filters) can narrow the list, but that statutory and adjudicative changes would still require capacity to provide review.

Ending: The chair left both bills pending for invited and public testimony, with members and DFPS staff agreeing to continue working on language and fiscal impacts before formal committee action.","Sen. Birdwell introduced SB 11 95 (expungement) and SB 11 96 (procedural safeguards) to change how the Department of Family and Protective Services adds and removes names from the central child-abuse registry; invited witnesses urged reform and DFPS staff described implementation constraints and resource needs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6103450,"Committee on Health & Human Services advances multiple bills; committee substitutes generally favorably reported",7951,1747000,9698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2795428-dee300d079b760d4188dc2bf13826182&start=1747&end=9698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2795428-dee300d079b760d4188dc2bf13826182/thumbnail_1747000.jpg","/articles/6103450/Texas/Committee-on-Health-Human-Services-advances-multiple-bills-committee-substitutes-generally-favorably-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103450-40c7fc0923b07f5839b76a7971c29e78/orig.mp4?Expires=1777156291&Signature=Iqyec-P7XXcYBCLajqFz4oEfOeUHDWQSUiTWJI7LSiwpkSK2HX--oD3oDBPMNIxSzkmVQJvCDLMe-bMNEADyl8T7BlC1rmWGIGS4Bbh0ORgg~HmOEC~x088g6RjryoS0qb1Xi3CBSyc~Zl1aOHsEUrzLR9uBy85wZEQ08krgCQHlqVO~zkPph~ms2fPyzWGBLRnMeGhYOPKPsqfC1aW4fHbYWMvodRi1M2YHqHj~DlUHipBb7oetG3kyzvETLT6Q6722beLBpo6BfsgLc9XTn2ZQ8KrJzRng1lHPr9kn3bsQ5uS4J2IwkBLScXEdz5GljeruWGhMCKLK52ylUs2rYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Health & Human Services on a morning session adopted and favorably reported a broad package of committee substitutes and bills, voting each up or leaving several pending for public testimony and formal floor action.

The action included adoption of a committee substitute to Senate Bill 493 (pharmacy gag-clause language) and numerous other committee substitutes and bills across health and human services topics. Votes were recorded by roll call for many items; where a roll call appears in the transcript, that tally is reported below. Several bills were left pending for invited and public testimony later in the hearing.

The committee considered and moved forward committee substitutes and recommendations for the following items (vote tallies shown where recorded in the transcript):

- Senate Bill 493 (committee substitute) — committee substitute adopted; committee passage recorded as \"There being 5 ayes and no nays, committee substitute Senate Bill 493 is favorably passed.\" (transcript roll call indicating 5 ayes).
- Senate Bill 660 (committee substitute) — committee substitute to SB 660 favorably reported; transcript shows \"There being 7 ayes, 0 nays. Committee substitute to Senate Bill 660 is favorably reported.\"
- Senate Bill 1822 (committee substitute) — committee substitute favorably reported; transcript shows \"There being 7 ayes, 1 nay, committee substitute to Senate Bill 18 22 is favorably reported.\"
- Senate Bill 1122 (listed as \"11 22\") — reported favorably, \"being 6 ayes, 2 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 619 — reported favorably, \"There being 6 ayes, 2 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 921 (committee substitute) — committee substitute favorably reported, \"There being 6 ayes, 2 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 922 — favorably reported, \"There being 8 ayes, 0 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 1332 (listed as \"13 32\") — favorably reported, \"There being 8 ayes, 0 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 963 (committee substitute) — committee substitute favorably reported, \"There being 8 ayes, 0 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 1098 — favorably reported, \"There being 8 ayes, 0 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 1307 (committee substitute) — committee substitute favorably reported, \"There being 8 ayes, 0 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 984 — favorably reported, \"There being 8 ayes, 0 nays.\"
- Senate Bill 1084 — favorably reported, \"There being 8 ayes, 0 nays.\"

Several bills with longer invited testimony were left pending for public testimony later in the hearing, including bills on the central registry (SB 1195 and SB 1196), nursing and assisted living backup power (SB 481), single-source continuum contractor receivership (SB 2034), diabetic amputation study (SB 1677), and others.

The committee chair noted that some committee substitutes had been received late and that several items would receive a formal committee vote at the committee’s formal meeting the following day. The chair closed witness registration for the bills on the calendar and recessed the committee for a short break before continuing invited testimony and public testimony later in the hearing.

Ending: Committee members and the chair indicated plans to continue formal votes and to follow up with offices and stakeholders on pending committee substitutes and public testimony schedules.","The Texas Senate Committee on Health & Human Services voted to advance a slate of committee substitutes and bills to the Senate with recommendations that most do pass; several measures were left pending for public testimony. Multiple committee substitutes were adopted by voice vote or roll call during the session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sponsor lays out substitute to require backup power and safe‑temperature plans for long‑term care facilities

Senators lay out dueling central-registry bills to add due process and expungement for DFPS listings

Committee on Health & Human Services advances multiple bills; committee substitutes generally favorably reported