TALA Advocacy Efforts 
Representing Assisted Living
TALA is committed to ensuring that the voice of Assisted Living is heard by state legislators at the Texas Capitol and by state regulators at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. TALA monitors the political landscape for any potential changes that could impact the Assisted Living industry, and TALA actively champions Assisted Living in Texas through legislative initiatives.
Highlights from the 89th Regular Legislative Session
The 89th Regular Legislative Session set records for the most bills filed and the largest number of bills with significant impacts to both assisted and senior living communities. TALA tracked a whopping 97 potential new laws with either a direct or indirect impact on Texas communities, including three of our own legislative priorities. Of the nearly 9,000 bills filed, approximately 1,200 survived the legislative process and landed on the Governor’s desk for his final review.
TALA’s legislative initiatives for this session included flexible emergency preparedness requirements for assisted living communities, ensuring that the Health and Human Services Commission complied with informal dispute resolution decisions favorable to providers, and removing unnecessary limits for new construction. Of our three primary legislative goals, the first two have been signed by the Governor and are law. The third initiative failed to pass but may be reworked into one of the current ALF rules projects.
A major win for Texas providers and consumers is House Bill 3595 by Representative Jeff Barry and Senator Charles Perry. The new law increases communication between ALs and their regional offices, directs communities to identify and plan for an area of refuge with reasonable safe temperature requirements, requires communities to develop and share an emergency preparedness summary with residents, and ensures that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission adopts construction and policy standards for new buildings with backup power connectivity integrated into the design. With this expansion of new requirements comes stability. The law includes a limited pre-emption clause, which prohibits the adoption of any conflicting local ordinances or mandates. This bill was a major undertaking, and all Assisted Living communities should review the new language for compliance. TALA has developed a regulatory explainer under the Public Policy section of the website here.
Another TALA priority was House Bill 1584 by Representative Lacy Hull and Senator Charles Schwertner. HB 1584 directs public utilities to maintain lists of all priority customers in their area with an online portal for customer sign-up and verification. All assisted living communities should register with their electric utility providers to receive the benefits of priority restoration during extended power outages. Priority power restoration means that assisted living communities and other eligible health care facilities should be among the first for line repair and problem resolution following an event.
Other significant bills passed during the session include Senate Bill 1283 by Senator Tan Parker and Representative Cassandra Garcia-Hernandez. The bill addresses senior safety in independent living communities by requiring additional communication from landlords to their tenants and background checks on staff employed by the community. House Bill 2358 will improve long-term care training for surveyors, Senate Bill 1522 requires CCRCs to have clearer disclosures regarding services offered, and Senate Bill 5 establishes a $3B fund for research into the causes of and treatments for dementias assuming approval by voters. ALs who participate in the Medicaid program should see a small increase in rates as there were several appropriations in the budget in SB 1. HHSC is working on the next steps for these items.
Thank you to everyone that testified with TALA, made phone calls to their elected officials, and joined us for the 2025 Advocacy Day. Your support is the reason we can be as successful as we are.
On the Regulatory Horizon
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is in the middle of a top-to-bottom review of all regulations and rules shaping Texas Assisted Living communities. TALA has been a leading stakeholder in the process, and we will continue to be there until the final rules are published. This agency review stems from a directive by Governor Greg Abbott to all state agencies – regulations should protect the health and safety of Texans, but they should not impede the growth of Texas businesses. HHSC has taken this directive to heart, and it is imperative that our providers have their perspectives and voices heard during this revolutionary process.
TALA will continue to send out proposed rule changes for feedback and general awareness through our monthly TALAView newsletter and member communications.
Impacts From Previous Legislative Sessions
In the 88th Legislative Session in 2023, TALA was instrumental in supporting the passing of nursing grants and scholarships (Senate Bill 25 and Budget Rider 58) and legislation allowing the Attorney General to pursue medical staffing agencies for price gouging during a designated public health disaster (Senate Bill 401).
During the 88th Legislative session, TALA also provided input on legislation that will affect assisted living communities. To see what passed and what did not, please view the Impactful Legislation Summary.
During the 87th Legislative Session, TALA worked with key legislators to pass a pandemic-related limited liability shield for assisted living communities (Senate Bill 6), to close a background check loophole for new employees moving to Texas from another state (SB 271), and to defend against new mandates. For more, check out the Impactful Legislation Summary.
Ongoing Advocacy
TALA’s advocacy efforts are constant, despite the Texas Legislature convening every other year. TALA regularly communicates and maintains relationships with several Texas state bodies whose governance impacts the Assisted Living industry. This ongoing relationship management includes the Health and Human Services Commission and their Long-Term Care Regulatory Division, the primary regulatory agency for Assisted Living in Texas. The Long-Term Care Regulatory division leads the development of regulations, publishes provider letters for clarification, and oversee on-site surveyors in regulated communities,
TALA is a key information conduit between the sector and the state’s regulators. TALA provides the Long-Term Care Regulatory staff with feedback on proposed changes and monitors communications from the Health and Human Services Commission for potential impact to TALA members and the Assisted Living industry.
TALA connects TALA provider members to legislative resources as needed, and we are in regular communication with provider members regarding regulatory items. TALA has the unique ability to share feedback with HHSC staff in the Long-Term Care Regulatory Division.
TALA monitors protocol updates related to the implementation of legislation and unfolding events across the state. TALA wants to ensure that providers are immediately aware of important changes. These protocol changes can have significant effects..
TALA is honored to be a subject matter expert for senior living, and the organization is often consulted by legislators and their staff for opinions, assistance, and feedback throughout the year.
Make sure to read the Under the Dome series in the monthly TALAView newsletter to stay up to date on the latest advocacy efforts and crucial legislative updates from TALA. Sign up for the TALAView here.
Get Involved!
Legislator Visits
It is important for change makers at the Capitol to be informed about Assisted Living so that Assisted Living is considered as an important factor during decision making.
One impactful way that an Assisted Living community can make a difference is by hosting legislators and their staff to share the incredible work happening in Assisted Living and meaningful impacts that Assisted Living has on the lives of residents, their families, and staff.
Please contact TALA’s VP of Public Policy Carmen Tilton at [email protected] if you would like to host a legislator for a tour or invite them to an event at your community.
Advocacy Day
TALA hosts an Assisted Living Advocacy Day at the Austin, Texas Capitol for professionals from TALA Provider Members and Industry Partners to engage with Texas legislators on issues facing the Long-Term Care industry. These conversations often are the beginning of understanding what Assisted Living is for many, if not most, Capitol staffers. Establishing this foundational understanding of how the sector functions and sparking these relationships now is critical in the months and years to come. TALA provider members are encouraged to attend to share what you do for your residents every day.
