The 86th Texas Legislature ended on May 27, 2019. During the legislative session, lawmakers passed a number of disability-related measures that were sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for consideration. Below are a sample of bills from the 86th session that the governor signed into law.
Criminal Justice
- House Bill (HB) 3116: Relating to the establishment of a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on best practice standards for the detention of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- HB 3540: Relating to the authority of a peace officer to release in lieu of arrest certain persons with an intellectual or developmental disability
- Senate Bill (SB) 562: Relating to criminal or juvenile procedures regarding persons who are or may be persons with a mental illness or intellectual disability and the operation and effects of successful completion of a mental health court program
Long-Term Care & Medicaid
- HB 4533: Relating to the administration and operation of Medicaid, including Medicaid managed care and the delivery of Medicaid acute care services and long-term services and supports to certain persons
- SB 1207: Relating to the operation and administration of Medicaid, including the Medicaid managed care program and the medically dependent children waiver program
- SB 1519: Relating to establishing a council on long-term care facilities and to a dispute resolution process regarding those facilities
Parking & Transportation
- HB 643: Relating to the location at which an application for a disabled parking placard may be made
- HB 1576: Relating to the delivery of certain transportation services under Medicaid and certain other health and human services programs
- HB 3163: Relating to parking for persons with disabilities
- SB 976: Relating to the notification of a peace officer through an indication associated with vehicle registration that a person has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication
Schools & Education
- HB 684: Relating to the care of students with seizure disorders and the training requirements for certain school personnel regarding seizure recognition and related first aid
- HB 3165: Relating to an occupational and life skills associate degree program offered by the Lone Star College System District
- SB 11: Relating to policies, procedures, and measures for school safety and mental health promotion in public schools and the creation of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium
- SB 54: Relating to a study regarding the appropriate methods and standards to evaluate certain students participating in regional day school programs for the deaf
- SB 712: Relating to prohibiting the use of certain aversive techniques on students enrolled in public schools
- SB 1017: Relating to the creation of the advisory council on postsecondary education for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Sexual Assault
- HB 1735: Relating to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking at public and private postsecondary educational institutions; providing an administrative penalty
- HB 4531: Relating to the rights and treatment of and services provided to certain adult sexual assault survivors
Miscellaneous
- HB 965: Relating to updating references to certain former health services state agencies and certain terms used to describe persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the Education Code
- HB 3703: Relating to the prescription of low-THC cannabis for medical use by certain qualified physicians to patients with certain medical conditions
- SB 667: Relating to probate and guardianship matters and certain procedures for persons who are incapacitated or have a mental illness
- SB 1184: Relating to eligible participants in the Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program
Every two years, the Texas Legislature holds a 140-day regular legislative session. The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) tracks legislative activities that could impact disability-related programs and services. To get updates on legislative activities, subscribe to TCDD eNews.
