From the Houston Chronicle:

Legislative budget negotiators in Texas have agreed to a $507 million cash infusion that would provide services to about 8,000 people with intellectual disabilities, including some residents in state institutions and others on waiting lists for community living support.

A Houston-area lawmaker said the appropriation for the next two years would be the biggest money boost ever to reduce a wait that can be as long as nine years for people who want to live in community group homes or at home with assistance.

Meanwhile, the Texas House gave initial approval to a measure – similar to a bill that already passed the Senate – aimed at addressing widespread abuse and neglect at the state’s large residential institutions. Among its provisions:

• New protections in institutions, such as video surveillance;
• Renaming “state schools” as “state-supported living centers;”
• Enhanced criminal background checks, random drug testing, and training for employees; and
• Expansion of the role of the inspector general for health and human services.

Earlier posts here.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 at 9:38 am and is filed under abuse, budget, institutionalization, law, Texas institutions, waiting list/waivers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.