Welcome to our Advocacy Opportunities & Resources email detailing updates from the Texas Legislature as well as available opportunities and resources of interest to members of The Arc of Texas. The opportunities and resources listed below are related to issues that could have an impact on Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). All times are listed in Central Daylight Time.

Monday, May 8

House Higher Education | Public Hearing Notice

8:00 AM | E2.010

• SB 17 | Relating to the powers and duties of the governing boards of public institutions of higher education. (Sen. Creighton)
• SB 25 | Relating to support for nursing-related postsecondary education, including scholarships to nursing students, loan repayment assistance to nurses and nursing faculty, and grants to nursing education programs. (Sen. Kolkhorst)

Tuesday, May 9

House Human Services | Public Hearing Notice

8:00 AM | E2.030

• SB 186 | Relating to the prohibited discharge of a patient to certain unlicensed or unpermitted group-centered facilities. (Sen. Miles)
• SB 187 | Relating to failure to report assault, neglect, or omission of care in certain group homes. (Sen. Miles)
• SB 189 | Relating to the creation of a criminal offense concerning the failure of certain persons to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation in boarding home facilities. (Sen. Miles)
• SB 681 | Relating to the applicability of certain laws regarding the occupational licensing of individuals with criminal convictions to the licensing of certain long-term health care facility personnel. (Sen. Johnson)
• SB 956 | Relating to repealing the coordinated strategic plan for health and human services in this state, including related conforming amendments. (Sen. Lamantia)

House Public Education | Public Hearing Notice

8:00 AM | E2.036

• SB 9 | Relating to the rights, certification, and compensation of public school educators and assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators. (Sen. Creighton)

Senate Criminal Justice | Public Hearing Notice

8:30 AM | E1.016

• HB 568 | Relating to education and training for peace officers on interacting with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. (Rep. Bowers)

Wednesday, May 10

Senate Health and Human Services | Public Hearing Notice

8:00 AM | Senate Chamber

• HB 25 | Relating to wholesale importation of prescription drugs for resale to Texas residents. (Rep. Talarico)
• HB 44 | Relating to provider discrimination against a Medicaid recipient or child health plan program enrollee based on immunization status. (Rep. Swanson)
• HB 1290 | Relating to the confiscation or misappropriation by a nursing facility of certain federal payments to a Medicaid recipient. (Rep. Campos)
• HB 1337 | Relating to step therapy protocols required by health benefit plans for coverage of prescription drugs for serious mental illnesses. (Rep. Hull)
• HB 2802 | Relating to the Medicaid application form and communication with Medicaid recipients. (Rep. Rose)

A Day of Advocacy at the Texas Capitol

Ever wonder what a day of advocacy looks like? Follow The Arc of Texas' Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Ashley Ford, and the Handley family as they navigate a day at the Texas Capitol in support of HB 4716 and HB 4702.