Transcript Highlights:

• ' health, safety, and well-being.
• And there are safety protections.
• There are safety edits and clinical edits.
• Department of Health and Human Services,...
• Health and Safety Code section 224.002 is currently permissive, stating that hospitals and clinics may

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Human Services will come to order. Members, we'll pick up right where we had.
• And these are just as important for children's health as any other medical procedure that they undergo
• a careful balance between safety and liberty.
• When a resident chooses to move into senior living, safety and community are important considerations
• And we'll continue to try to move this bill forward and help with safety, especially for those seniors

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order.
• care and decreased access secondary to this lack of health insurance for necessary general anesthesia
• a careful balance between safety and liberty.
• and, um, help with safety, especially for those seniors.
• And here's the occupations code. So we're, I'm trying to be as communicative as possible.

Bills: SB 227, SB 269, SB 407, SB 463, SB 527, SB 547, SB 1283, SB 1380, SB 1383, SB 1511, SB 1640, SB 1784, SB 2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order.
• to patients' health, safety, and well-being.
• for Life and Health is available as a resource.
• Health and Safety Code, Section 224.002.
• Health and Safety Code, Section 224.002, is currently permissive, stating that hospitals and clinics

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order.
• The receiver is tasked with ensuring children's health, safety, and well-being by maintaining services
• power packages at facilities necessary to support community health and safety well-being.
• from a health and safety perspective.
• And you would think the health insurance companies would acknowledge this—any baseline and follow-up

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• It is important to note that the Texas Health and Safety Code 142A states that any entity that claims
• We believe that this bill can provide stronger measures to protect the health and safety of residents
• Our fire and life safety code, Chapter 4, is very clear: you have to have an emergency plan.
• And that's not just HIPAA, but that's also our Chapter 181 of the Health and Safety Code.
• So I don't want that to feel that there is any negativity about providing health and safety for our seniors

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• with minimum health, safety, and staffing requirements.
• Michelle Dion Valhale, and you were with Health and Human Services Health and Human Services Associate
• The standards are in the Texas Family Code and the Texas Administrative Code, period.
• , a life safety code survey, and then destroy all those completed rooms for in construction inspection
• They cover everything from health and safety to job readiness and financial management, and personal

Bills: HB 2510, HB 3589, HB 4611, HB 4655, HB 4665, HB 4666, HB 4670, HB 4700, HB 4730, HB 4798, HB 4838, HB 5136, HB 5243, HB 5302, HB 5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• There could be a life safety code component of the survey and then a health survey, and they would have
• There could be a life safety code component of the survey and then a health survey, and they would have
• Able to come into compliance with some of those health and safety requirements.
• It's assisted living facilities under the health and safety code.
• Then it talks about House Bill 2510, which would amend the Health and Safety Code to require a person

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• them to register with the state and comply with minimum health safety guidelines and staffing requirements
• The legislation is about dignity and safety... ...and responsibility.
• We review them at CAC Texas, and then they are reviewed by the Health and Human Services Commission and
• Family Code and the Texas Administrative Code, period.
• They cover everything from health and safety to job readiness, financial management, and personal and

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• and Safety Code to establish Vernon and Wichita Falls State Hospitals as separate entities, removing
• Texas Health and Safety Code, and Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
• The current statutes in place read Texas Health and Safety Code 574.045(d), stating that a female patient
• This is 435, Health and Safety Code 435. There's another chapter of the code, 437.020, I believe.
• And the state chooses those standards to be able to protect public health and safety.

Bills: HB3000, HB2622, HB2283, HB541, HB1776, HB1803, HB1669, HB2588, HB220, HB3415, HB50, HB1314, HB 107, HB220, HB50, HB107

Keywords: ambulance service, rural healthcare, grants, financial assistance, qualified counties, mental health, patient transport, female attendants, security measures, healthcare regulation, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, health care, school safety, training, emergency response, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 107 is which amends Subtitle B of Title II of the Texas Health and Safety Code by
• and Safety Code to require a health care provider to receive an individual's consent in order to conduct
• Health and Safety Code. Is that what you're concerned, that it's only got one of the chapters?
• Section 178.002.B, I mean, B2 in the health and safety. code.
• you know, putting it in the health and safety code, and then not necessarily specifically referencing

Bills: HB44, HB2200, HB1612, HB2747, HB2038, HB3717, HB1431, HB3800, HB3801, HB3560, HB3246, HB44

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Vice President of Veterans and Public Safety at the Meadows Mental Health Institute.
• Thank you for all your commitment to the health. and safety of some of our most vulnerable Texans, and
• and Safety Code do not apply to COVID-19 entities that solely conduct claims and claim processing on
• and Safety Code.
• Finally, HB754 requires health facilities, as defined by Section 31.002 of the Health and Safety Code

Bills: HB35, HB138, HB754, HB1314, HB1612, HB2254, HB2510, HB2789, HB3560, HB3597, HB4224, HB4273, HB4643, HB4783, HB138

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, human trafficking, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• And then that relative comes forward and wants a child, and then we have a really hard time getting that
• Thank you so much for being here and, and, uh, we've had some questions and, and I wanted to make sure
• the best permanency is if their parents get back on their feet and, and, um, and or or someone that
• We need better data to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
• and safety.

Bills: SB 2041, SB 1777, SB 1681, SB 2311

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• And we just heard in testimony that that. That creates academic gaps and other gaps as well.
• Association of Family Defense Attorneys and yourself, and you are neutral on the bill.
• and Okay, so how does that work now with age or health of a kinship placement?
• We need better data to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
• Neglect, abuse, or exploitation increasing risk to health and safety.

Bills: SB2041, SB1777, SB1681, SB2311

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• It updates the health and safety code to modify how penalties are assessed for violations at chemical
• plan's treatment limitations for mental health and substance use disorders has to be comparable to and
• parity in coverage for mental health and physical health.
• Senate bill 358 last session and it never got a hearing so in in Senate Health and Human Services so
• Health prices and costs in Texas are rising.

Bills: SB437, SB528, SB626, SB636, SB884, SB968, SB1044, SB1608, SB2336

Keywords: healthcare, training, abuse, neglect, penalties, chemical dependency, safety, regulation, inpatient competency restoration, competency restoration, forensic mental health, mental health law, criminal competency, incompetent to stand trial, Chapter 46B, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state hospital, behavioral health, local mental health authority

Transcript Highlights:

• And education is focused on oral health rather than the skin and facial tissue.
• So we very highly respect and value our dental colleagues for their training in oral health and often
• These indications are FDA approved, and there are clinical studies vouching for their use and safety
• Excuse me, the intent is to enhance public health and safety by helping to ensure. ...medications are
• This is a cleanup bill to remedy issues with Senate Bill 2173, which passed into health and safety code

Bills: SB1117, SB1373, SB672, SB1986, SB1098, SB626, SB1784, SB2480, SB2487, SB437, SB660

Keywords: dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• SB1373 amends the Health and Safety Code to require hospitals to base privileging decisions on clinical
• The current penalty structure outlined in the Health and Safety Code only accounts for factors such as
• prior offense severity and health and safety risk, but does not take into consideration a facility's
• To ensure no unnecessary shutdowns occur, Senate Bill 437 would amend the Health and Safety Code, Section
• Successfully protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all Texans.

Bills: SB1117, SB1373, SB672, SB1986, SB1098, SB626, SB1784, SB2480, SB2487, SB437, SB660

Keywords: dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• improved behavioral and mental health.
• preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in our state's health and human services programs.
• I am Raymond Winner, the Inspector General for Health and Human Services, and I'm here to testify on
• comes to their food and health.
• So, from my understanding, uh, my family works in health coaching and, and all that kind of stuff.

Bills: HB 26, HB 140, HB 141, HB 142, HB 215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Bills: SB 2082, SB 2203, SB 2351, SB 2550, SCR 48

Keywords: concrete crushing, hospital proximity, environmental regulation, public health, zoning laws, concrete plants, standard permit, construction regulation, environmental compliance, health and safety code, water rights, property transfer, disclosure requirements, coastal property, Texas legislation, real estate, environmental impact, Gulf of America, coastal resources, Texas sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me find the words here. under the health and safety code that just says this case information is
• Medical care facility, nursing facility, and home health agency.
• display clear and and consistent mental health warnings.
• It's in the code that's under HHSC. OK. And then, would HHSC?
• Secondly, for House Bill 510, it enhances public health and safety. without access to a birth record,

Bills: HB713, HB827, HB932, HB499, HB510, HB163, HB296, HB879, HB913, HB163, HB296

Keywords: healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice