Texas House Bill HB2673

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the protection and care of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Impact

One of the significant impacts of HB2673 is the amendment of existing government code to facilitate access to criminal history records for people working with individuals with disabilities. This includes new requirements for criminal history background checks for employees, contractors, and volunteers who interact directly with clients in state-supported living centers. The bill aims to enhance the safety and reliability of care provided to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by ensuring that staff is vetted appropriately.

Summary

House Bill 2673 focuses on the protection and care of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The bill is designed to strengthen the mechanisms for reviewing the mortality of individuals in state-supported living centers and those receiving related state services. It establishes a framework for conducting independent mortality reviews, which are essential for understanding the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these vulnerable populations and ensuring that their care is subjected to proper scrutiny.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked debates regarding the extent of authority given to contracted organizations tasked with conducting mortality reviews. Stakeholders expressed concerns over the balance between ensuring thorough oversight and the potential for bureaucratic overreach. Critics argue that while the bill enhances oversight, it may lead to complications in the relationship between health care providers and the oversight organizations, especially regarding the protections for those providing feedback or information under this bill.