Transcript Highlights:

• The agency operates four clinics in South Texas and one mobile health unit.
• I've dedicated my career to promoting health safety and trust within my community.
• This bill amends the Health and Safety Code to require hospitals to establish objective privilege criteria
• This is found in section 60.001 of the Occupations Code and section 241.101C of the Health and Safety
• It is my duty as a health professional and dental expert to proudly affirm the safety and effectiveness

Bills: SB623, SB1266, SB1310, SB1373, SB1580, SB1952, SB2032, SB2269, SB2544, SB2653, SB2796

Keywords: pharmacist, vaccine administration, COVID-19, exclusive authority, healthcare, Medicaid, provider enrollment, credentialing, administrative burden, Texas Health and Human Services, senior retirement communities, emergency response, residential safety, contract provisions, health and safety regulations, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the CEO of the Texas Association. of Health Plans, and we are testifying in support of Senate Bill
• In 2019, Senator Hancock passed landmark legislation protecting the health and safety of all Americans
• Those bills are now found in subchapters L and M of chapter 1369 of the Texas Insurance Code.
• And it makes clear that it applies to an out-of-state health benefit plan provided to residents. of Texas
• In each of our member communities, the health, safety, and dignity of our residents is paramount.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will reconvene.
• Providers from across the state and the Texas Association of Health Plans came together to support that
• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. We're the Texas State Chamber.
• Deborah Pat, and I'm here representing Texas Oncology, and I'm testifying in favor of...
• Texas for Affordable Health Care is a nonprofit grassroots organization that represents families and

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will reconvene, come to order, and members don't need
• Texas Ambulance Association is a statewide organization across the state of Texas, and we appreciate
• Uh, the Texas Association of Health, uh, Plans came together to support that effort two years ago, and
• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. We're the Texas state chamber.
• care mandate, we're going to say no until and unless we can control the health care crisis in Texas.

Bills: SB 502, SB 513, SB 622, SB 670, SB 731, SB 732, SB 916, SB 961, SB 1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

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
• Since this bill establishes an internal report, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will be
• The standards are in the Texas Family Code and the Texas Administrative Code, period.
• 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
• 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.
• and families in Texas.
• 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:

• So this is the map of Texas and everywhere there, I'll, I'll be through and I'll leave this for you.
• the ones in JM's area and some of the South Texas.
• , and the great state of Texas.
• does for Texas and for our country.
• Uh, directed towards, um, you know, health and safety, workforce preparedness and supplemental educational

Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35

Keywords: emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid

Bills: SB 623, SB 1266, SB 1310, SB 1373, SB 1580, SB 1952, SB 2032, SB 2269, SB 2544, SB 2653, SB 2796

Keywords: pharmacist, vaccine administration, COVID-19, exclusive authority, healthcare, Medicaid, provider enrollment, credentialing, administrative burden, Texas Health and Human Services, senior retirement communities, emergency response, residential safety, contract provisions, health and safety regulations, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• Freestanding Psychiatric Hospitals licensed under Chapter 576.7 of the Health and Safety Code provide
• already required under Chapters 250 and 253 of the Health and Safety Code to conduct background checks
• Chapter 250 and Chapter 253 of the Health and Safety Code already applied to a number of different healthcare
• And sectors, creating the tools needed to grow and support a stronger health care workforce for Texas
• and safety code.

Bills: HB 44, HB 2200, HB 1612, HB 2747, HB 2038, HB 3717, HB 1431, HB 3800, HB 3801, HB 3560, HB 3246

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

Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I have you as Carmen Tilton, Texas Assisted Living Association and neutral on the bill.
• There are 3 areas in which Oklahoma's language, however, misses the mark and where I think Texas can
• In Texas, the Patient Solicitation Act or anti-kickback statute is good and is meant to protect these
• All three bills complement each other and all three are needed by DFPS and the state of Texas.
• The Texas Family Code requires DFPS to maintain a contingency plan.

Bills: HB 1531, HB 2667, HB 2809, HB 2865, HB 3589, HB 3151, HB 3748, HB 3750, HB 4419, HB 4643, HB 3597, HB 4129, HB 4130, HB 4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there are three areas in which Oklahoma's language misses the mark, and where I think Texas
• Error code: 520.
• In Texas, the patient solicitation act and anti-kickback statute are good and meant to protect these
• Right now, Texas law prohibits common and effective compensation models that are already used in every
• The Texas Family Code requires DFPS to maintain a contingency plan to provide continuity of service if

Bills: HB1531, HB2667, HB2809, HB2865, HB3589, HB3151, HB3748, HB3750, HB4419, HB4643, HB3597, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• . health and safety.
• The 2022 Report on Suicide and Suicide Prevention in Texas by the Statewide Behavioral Health Court.
• These include the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas... ..
• I'm Blake Hudson, Director of Public Affairs with the Texas Association of Health. And Dr.
• And you are the CEO of the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, right? Yes, ma'am.

Bills: HB1531, HB2667, HB2809, HB2865, HB3589, HB3151, HB3748, HB3750, HB4419, HB4643, HB3597, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• The real The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order.
• A lack of explicit authorization under the Health and Safety Code for sheriffs and constables to provide
• I also served as the Director of the Health Law and Policy.
• Supported by the health plans, primary care consortium and Texas 24.
• I'm the CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans and we are testifying in support of Senate Bill

Bills: SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm proud the Legislature has prioritized all of this to protect the health. and safety of our children
• My bill further addresses camp health and safety issues beyond just disaster planning to help promote
• In recent years, the state has done a lot to promote health and safety at schools, daycare services,
• I am a water safety trainer and I'm also an advocate here in the state of Texas.
• It's our goal as physicians, and I would say as a public health committee, to protect public safety and

Bills: HB 265, HB25

Keywords: youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid, public health, child protection, camp operator, camp counselor, Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm proud the legislature has prioritized, uh, all of this to protect the health and safety of our children
• My bill further addresses camp health and safety issues beyond just disaster planning to help promote
• In recent years, the state has done a lot to promote health and safety at schools, daycares.
• Um, I am a water safety trainer and I'm also an advocate here in the state of Texas.
• it's our goal as physicians and I would say as a public health committee to protect public safety and

Bills: HB 265, HB25

Keywords: youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid, public health, child protection, camp operator, camp counselor, Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• of a number of health care boards both here in Texas and Louisiana and so very familiar with the board
• and safety code.
• Texas Education Code 51.933 establishes that the Health and Human Services Commissioner may require vaccines
• It aligns education code with health and safety code. by adding a section to the ladder codifying the
• with the health and safety code and it's part of the reason that we're testifying on the bill because

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Transcript Highlights:

• Through Section 694.002 of the Health and Safety Code, the state has delegated this responsibility to
• It aligns Education Code with Health and Safety Code by adding a section to the latter, codifying the
• with the health and safety code.
• with the health and safety code.
• And it's part of the reason. the education code with the health and safety code.

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.

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:

• Society, Texas Public Health Coalition, and myself as an adolescent medicine physician.
• and public health systems in Texas.
• Therefore, we urge you to protect the health of Texas children and their access to health care by voting
• Section 3, where it refers to Section 161.753B of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 161.753B
• of the Texas Health and Safety Code, it states, I quote, the commission may include palliative care providers

Bills: HB216

Keywords: HB216, Texas abortion law, abortion-inducing drug, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, telemedicine, in-person exam, physician presence, out-of-state physician, reproductive healthcare, abortion regulation, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, consultation services, remote prescribing, pro-life, pro-choice

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.