Bill

SB 25

87(R) - 2021
Senate Health and Human Services
Senate Health and Human Services
Health & Human Services
Nursing home
Health

Contact the Author

Lois Kolkhorst

Phone:

512-463-0118

Capitol Office:

GE.4

Email:

Vote Recommendation

Vote Yes; Amend
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive

Author(s)

Lois Kolkhorst
Paul Bettencourt
Brian Birdwell
César J Blanco
Dawn Buckingham
Donna Campbell
Brandon Creighton
Roland Gutierrez
Bob Hall
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Joan Huffman
Bryan Hughes
Nathan Johnson
Eddie Lucio Jr.
Jose Menendez
Borris Miles
Jane Nelson
Robert Nichols
Angela Paxton
Charles Perry
Beverly Powell
Charles Schwertner
Kel Seliger
Drew Springer
Judith Zaffirini

Co-Author(s)

Carol Alvarado
Larry Taylor
Royce West

Sponsor(s)

James Frank
Ana Hernandez
Will Metcalf
Scott Sanford

Co-Sponsor(s)

Trent Ashby
Briscoe Cain
David Cook
Jake Ellzey
Mayes Middleton
Hugh Shine
Cody Vasut

Bill Caption

Relating to the right of certain residents to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visitation.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 25, which is enabling legislation for a constitutional amendment proposed by SJR 19, would give residents, or their guardian or legally authorized representative, of certain long term care and assisted living facilities the right to designate at least one essential caregiver with whom the facility, residence, or center may not prohibit in-person visitation except for a limited time in extraordinary circumstances. The bill would require relevant protocols to be put in place establishing minimum in-person visitation requirements.

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 25 supports limited government and individual liberty by prohibiting policy-makers from denying in-person visitation to residents of long term care and assisted living facilities. Texas Action supports this legislation; residents of these facilities should not be cut off from in-person visitation due to arbitrary and excessive policies.  

However, limiting residents to only one "essential" caregiver still falls short. Family visitation and contact in these facilities should not be limited to just one person, which may prevent a person from seeing their family members one last time before passing away. We urge the legislature to allow families to visit each other in a safe way to the greatest extent possible. We support SB 25 but recommend it be amended to let more people visit their family members in these facilities and allow the resident to authorize any individual they select to serve as an essential caregiver. 

Contact the Author

Lois Kolkhorst

Phone:

512-463-0118

Capitol Office:

GE.4

Email: