| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vote Yes; Amend | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Positive |
Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visitation.
No fiscal implications to the State is anticipated, other than the cost of publication.
The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $178,333.
SJR 19 is a constitutional amendment which would ensure residents of a nursing facility, assisted living facility, intermediate care facility for individuals with a disability, residence providing home and community based services, or state supported living center have their rights protected. Namely the right to designate an essential caregiver with whom the facility, residence, or center would be prohibited from inhibiting in-person visitation.
SJR 19 would allow the legislature to provide guidelines for these facilities, residences, or centers to follow in establishing essential caregiver visitation policies and procedures.
SJR 19 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 SJR 19 but recommend it be amended to let more people visit their family members in these facilities.