Texas Senate OKs bill to protect residents of institutions
March 10th, 2009From the Dallas Morning News, the Austin American-Statesman, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
The Texas Senate unanimously approved an emergency measure on Monday to boost protections for residents at the troubled state schools for people with intellectual disabilities.
Gov. Rick Perry gave the issue emergency status after a U.S. Justice Department report last year concluded that residents of the institutions are often victims of abuse, neglect and inadequate medical treatment. At least 53 residents died within the past year because of lapses in health care, the report found.
The measure would establish an independent ombudsman’s office for regular audits of the state institutions, strengthen staff background checks, and add video surveillance and an abuse and neglect hot line.
“The abuse and neglect that has occurred in our state schools is inexcusable,” said the author of the bill, Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound). “These are people with serious disabilities. They need our oversight, and they need our compassion.”
The measure does not deal with staffing shortages, high turnover, and lack of training, nor does it address the debate over whether to close some of the state schools in favor of community-based care. Nelson said more extensive legislation will need to be addressed during the budget process.
See also:
Senate OKs emergency measure for state schools — Dallas Morning News
… Meanwhile, state officials confirmed abuse may have been captured on the cellphone cameras of employees at the Corpus Christi State School.
Corpus Christi police declined to comment on the investigation. But Stephanie Goodman, spokeswoman with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, said it involves “images and videos taken with cellphones” and could include “multiple employees on different dates.”
Earlier posts here.
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